A commuter has been spotted using a snake as a face mask on a Manchester bus.
The man boarded the Swinton bus at Salford on Monday with the reptile wrapped around his neck and mouth, in what appeared to be a satirising of coronavirus restrictions.
One passenger said she initially thought the man was wearing a “funky mask” before she spotted it slithering over the handrails.
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She said she found the incident “really funny” and that the animal did not seem to be bothering any of her fellow passengers, saying: “No-one batted an eyelid”.
Pictures showed the man was not wearing a mask under the snake.
Authorities said they did not consider snakes to be a valid face covering.
“Government guidance clearly states that this needn’t be a surgical mask and that passengers can make their own or wear something suitable, such as a scarf or bandana,” said a Transport for Greater Manchester spokesperson.
“While there is a small degree of interpretation that can be applied to this, we do not believe it extends to the use of snakeskin – especially when still attached to the snake.”
Using a face covering on public transport is mandatory, except for those who are exempt for reasons of age, health or disability.
