Infected passenger would board for Pisa

A passenger was withdrawn from a flight minutes before the scheduled departure date after receiving a message saying he had tested positive for coronavirus.

The man and his friend were escorted out of a Ryanair jet bound for Italy by officers in protective clothing at Stansted airport yesterday.

If the passenger received the notification before boarding the plane, he would be in violation of the coronavirus quarantine rules, according to NHS England.

After the passengers left, the flight attendants disinfected the seats and air cabins and the plane was able to take off for Pisa, Italy, almost two hours late. "The passenger and his travelling companion were immediately removed and taken to an isolation area of Stansted airport, where they were assisted by the local public health authorities," said the Ryanair spokesman.

The health service has recommended that people who are being tested for symptoms of the virus stay in their homes and in their blisters until they receive the result.