The man, identified as Adrien William, was filmed wildly hitting out at airport officials dressed in hazmat suits after arriving in Puerto Rico from the US on 28 November.

Video of the event was uploaded to social media by several onlookers, including CBS journalist David Begnaud.

“A man who arrived in Puerto Rico on a flight from the US, yesterday, attacked a P.R. National Guard soldier who twice told him to put on a mask at the baggage claim in San Juan, according to @PRNationalGuard,” he tweeted.

“The man also refused to fill out mandatory travel declaration forms.”

Begnaud added that William had been taken into police custody following the incident.

Later videos show William lying on the floor while being restrained by airport police.

“It’s going to be all on social media,” he can be heard shouting.

According to the police report, “A man identified as Adrien William did not follow instructions regarding the use of a mask or provide personal data, and following this attacked the complainant in the face.”

The guard he attacked then “proceeded to make a civil arrest”. The report adds that he refused medical assistance.

The case is due to be heard in the Court of Carolina, Puerto Rico, on 4 December.

According to Begnaud, the guard William attacked also reported smelling alcohol on his breath.

It’s far from the first time a passenger has declined to wear a face covering.

The Southwest Airlines service from Nashville to Las Vegas was almost ready to depart when the aircraft had to turn around.  

A Metro Nashville Airport Authority Department of Public Safety officer had to be dispatched to the gate, an airport spokesperson confirmed to The Tennessean, after a female passenger would not put on a face covering or leave the aircraft when instructed to do so.

“Shortly after pushing back from the gate, Flight 2388 from Nashville to Las Vegas returned after a customer refused to follow our face covering policy,” said a Southwest spokesperson.

The woman’s refusal to depart the aircraft of her own accord meant the entire planeload of passengers had to get off.