Canada is making non-medical masks mandatory for all air travellers, effective noon Monday.

In a statement on Friday, Minister of Transport Marc Garneau said that aviation passengers on all flights departing or arriving at Canadian airports will need to demonstrate they have the necessary non-medical mask or face covering.

Otherwise, they will "not be allowed to continue on their journey."

.@Transport_gc: Minister Garneau introduces new measures for non-medical masks or face coverings in the #Canadian transportation system https://t.co/3BCQTJrGxH

— GC Newsroom (@NewsroomGC) April 17, 2020

According to the Canadian government, a non-medical mask "should fit snugly but comfortably against the side of your face, be secured with ties or ear loops and cover your mouth and nose."

Air travellers will be asked to cover their mouth and nose:

• at Canadian airport screening checkpoints, where the screeners cannot always keep two metres of separation between themselves and the traveller;
• when they cannot physically distance from others, or as directed by the airline employees; and
• when directed to do so by a public health order or public health official.

Children under two years of age and those with underlying medical conditions may be exempt from the new measure.

Must wear a mask to fly now. New rules just released by Transport Canada: all air passengers must wear a non-medical mask or wear a covering over their nose/mouth while travelling. Measures come into effect noon on April 20th #cdnpoli #COVID19

— Mercedes Stephenson (@MercedesGlobal) April 17, 2020

"Canadians should continue to follow public health advice and stay at home if possible," Garneau said.

"However, if you need to travel, wearing a face covering is an additional measure you can take to protect others around you, especially in situations where physical distancing guidelines cannot be maintained."

The news comes just days after Dr. Theresa Tam advised Canadians to wear non-medical masks in high-traffic public places, such as grocery stores and public transit.