Belgian authorities have arrested a subway passenger who was caught deliberately wiping his saliva on a metal bar amid growing concerns of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The passenger, whose name was not revealed, was filmed by a fellow passenger sitting on one of the benches. Seconds after the doors closed, the man suddenly removed his face mask and put two fingers inside his mouth and quickly ran his hand on a metal bar in front of him.
After the video was shared on Twitter, Belgium transport authority, Brussels Intercommunal Transport Company (STIB-MIVB), announced in a comment that the man in question was arrested, according to the Standard.
“The man (intoxicated) was arrested by the police and our security service,” the transport authority wrote. “The subway train has been removed from service for cleaning. For your information, our metros are cleaned every day.”
Many social media users expressed their disgust at the man’s behavior. One user even suggested that he needed “criminal punishment.”
Meanwhile, authorities continue to remind citizens to constantly wash their hands as they try to prevent further spread of the virus, which has gone up to 399 reported cases in Belgium, as of this writing, according to Worldometers.
Feature Image Screenshot via @Mous_taffe
