A man was spotted using a live snake as a makeshift face mask on a public bus in England.
The unidentified man was taking the bus from Swinton to Manchester on Monday with the snake wrapped around his neck when another passenger snapped a photo of the bizarre moment.
A passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, said she first believed the man was only wearing a “funky mask” until the reptile started slithering over the handrails
The woman said she found the incident “really funny” and the other passengers didn’t seem bothered by the serpent.
“No one batted an eyelid,” she said.
Authorities said a snake is not a proper face covering during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“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,” a Transport for Greater Manchester spokesperson said in a statement, according to the outlet.
“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,” the statement said.
In England, face masks are required on public transportation such as planes, trains, and buses to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
