BRAZIL'S President Jair Bolsonaro led thousands of motorcyclist supporters through the streets of Sao Paulo on Saturday — and was hit with a fine for failure to wear a mask in violation of local pandemic restrictions.

The far-right president waved to the crowd from his motorcycle and later from atop a sound truck, where helmeted but largely maskless backers cheered and chanted as he insisted that masks were useless for those already vaccinated — a claim disputed by most health experts.

Sao Paulo’s state government press office said a fine equivalent to about £78 would be imposed for violation of a rule that has required masks in public places since May 2020.