The civil aviation regulator on Saturday asked airlines and airport operators to ensure passengers wear masks properly, covering their nose and mouth, and follow other Covid protocol.

Before departure, a passenger who does not wear the mask properly despite warnings should be deboarded, it said. A passenger refusing to do so on a flight should be treated as “unruly”. According to the rules, “unruly” passengers can be barred from flying for a period from three months to two years.

The DGCA circular said the mask should not be moved below the nose except under exceptional circumstances.

Any passenger found violating Covid protocol at the airport should be handed over to security agencies after proper warning, it added.