Coronavirus: Coffs Harbour man charged for coughing prank

A Coffs Harbour man has been charged over a “prank” that involved deliberately coughing on a police officer while pretending to be infected with coronavirus.

A Coffs Harbour man has been charged for coughing on a cop.

The 21-year-old, who was attending the Coffs Harbour Police Station on New South Wales’ mid-north coast, was charged over the “prank”, which involved deliberately coughing on a police officer while pretending to be infected with coronavirus.

NSW Police said that the man entered the station at 2.30pm yesterday and approached a 71-year-old officer.

They allege he deliberately coughed on the woman and claimed he had COVID-19, while a friend filmed the incident.

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The incident was filmed by a friend and uploaded to Facebook. Picture: Supplied

A video, filmed by a friend of the man, of the incident was later to posted to Facebook, and showed him pointing his middle finger toward the entrance of the police station before walking inside.

“Got to report to these dogs every day,” he says, before coughing and spluttering while approaching the front desk and stating, “I just got to report, I’m sorry, I’ve been tested positive for that coronavirus.”

The woman asked him whether he was joking, but he maintained that he was serious, telling the officers he had just come from the Coffs Harbour Hospital, where he tested positive to the disease – which has infected more than 2300 Australians.

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The man was arrested and charged for his behaviour.

“While inquiries were being made regarding the man’s claims, the police station was closed, and the necessary isolation protocols were put in place,” NSW Police said in a statement.

“Upon further inquiries, it was revealed the man did not have the virus.”

He was reprimanded for the joke, which officers said wasn’t funny, especially in the current environment.

The footage was shared by radio station 2GB this morning and has since gone viral, racking up 32,000 views and outraging commenters.

“What a tool. For his effort he should maybe get the disease to experience what sufferers are going through, this is no bloody laughing matter,” one wrote.

The man was arrested and charged with “stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm, and resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty”.

He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday, May 6.

– With wires