Man ‘uses snake as a face mask’ on bus from Swinton to Manchester

Authorities have confirmed a snake is not a valid face covering after a man was spotted with one wrapped around his head on a bus.
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The commuter and his reptilian mask, which was wrapped around his neck and mouth, were seen on a bus from Swinton to Manchester on Monday.

One passenger, who asked not to be named, said she initially thought the man was wearing a “funky mask” before she spotted it slithering over the hand rails.

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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, telling PA: “No-one batted a eyelid.”

Pictured is a man riding on a bus, with a snake, in Salford. The man was not wearing a mask under the snake and authorities have confirmed a snake is not a valid face covering.Pictured is a man riding on a bus, with a snake, in Salford. The man was not wearing a mask under the snake and authorities have confirmed a snake is not a valid face covering.
Pictured is a man riding on a bus, with a snake, in Salford. The man was not wearing a mask under the snake and authorities have confirmed a snake is not a valid face covering.

Pictures showed the man was not wearing a mask under the snake.

Using a face covering on public transport is mandatory, except for those who are exempt for reasons of age, health or disability.

A Transport for Greater Manchester spokesperson said: “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.

“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.”

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