A reminder: snakes, or other live animals, should not be used as face coverings during the pandemic. The warning is courtesy transportation officials in the United Kingdom after a man was seen this week riding a public bus with a large snake wrapped around his head.
According to the international news agency, the commuter and his snake mask, which was wrapped around his neck and mouth, were seen traveling on a bus from Swinton to Manchester on Monday.
One passenger reported that she thought the passenger was wearing a “funky mask” . However, she noticed the ‘mask’ was sliding over hand rails.
The witness said she found the incident “really funny”. She also said that the animal did not seem to be bothering anyone.
She said: “No-one batted an eyelid.”
Wearing face coverings has been made mandatory for people during traveling, except for children under age 11 or those having health issues.
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.”
