Travellers at airports in Canada and the U.S. on Tuesday crammed their toiletries into plastic bags to comply with modified security rules, allowing passengers to bring small amounts of liquids and gels in carry-on luggage.

The new rules allow travellers to bring liquids, gels and aerosols in containers of up to three ounces onboard airliners. The products must be stored in sealed, clear, plastic bags.

U.S.-bound passengers can also now bring drinks on board if they have been purchased in designated areas beyond the security checkpoints. Last Friday, Transport Canada eased rules for flights headed to destinations outside the U.S., allowing travellers to purchase and carry on beverages once they had cleared security screening.

Transport Canada officials said at a news conference Monday that airports would have a temporary supply of bags on hand during a brief transition period but they encouraged passengers to pack their toiletries at home to prevent delays at security screenings.

Airports around the globe tightened security restrictions in August after investigators suspected a plot to blow up 10 commercial airliners with liquid explosives smuggled aboard in hand luggage.

However, officials from both countries said Monday that a sweeping ban on liquids and gels was no longer required as a security precaution. U.S. officials said that the FBI and other labs tested a variety of explosives and found that small amounts of liquids, gels and aerosols could not blow up an airliner. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Tuesday in Washington that the new rules would likely be in place for at least six weeks.