A man charged with high-range drink-driving allegedly told police he had coronavirus and coughed at an officer when approached for a breath test.
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It came after police saw a Holden Commodore stopped in the middle of the Pacific Highway at Muswellbrook about 4.15pm on Tuesday.
Police allege the vehicle drove away when officers approached, before it stopped at Tobruk Avenue.
The driver - a 42-year-old man - returned a positive reading to a breath-test and was arrested.
He was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station where he recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.274 - more than five times the legal limit.
Police will allege in court the man claimed he had COVID-19 and intentionally coughed at a police officer when asked to take part in a breath test.
The 42-year-old was charged with high-range drink-driving and assaulting police.
He was granted conditional bail and will appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on April 6.
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