On Feb. 18, a commuter on a train in Fukuoka, Japan, pressed the emergency button after seeing another rider coughing without a mask.

Coughing commuter not wearing mask as he couldn't buy any

Over the intercom, the commuter who pushed the emergency button told staff, “There is someone coughing without a mask on".

According to SoraNews, the train, which came to a halt after the emergency button was activated, later made a prolonged stop at the nearest station, Befu Station.

The worried commuter and the man who coughed unmasked alighted the train to speak with the staff.

The coughing commuter explained to the staff and the commuter that he was not wearing a mask as he was unable to buy any due to the shortage, SoraNews reported.

It was said that both commuters reconciled soon after, before the next train arrived. However, the train was delayed by three minutes due to the commotion.

"There have been cases when the emergency button was pressed because of fights between passengers," a municipal official said, according to Asahi News.

Covid-19 fears on the rise in Japan

"This is the first time the button was pressed due to the new coronavirus."

Fears surrounding Covid-19 has been on the rise in Japan, with large-scale sports events being cancelled, postponed or altered.

Japan's health ministry has asked organisers to "re-examine" the need to hold big events, warning the risk of infection will increase if people are not given adequate personal space at indoor facilities, Kyodo News reported.

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