In a verbal stumble, the usually poised Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said the much-hated word “moistly” during his daily press briefing.

Speaking about the benefits of wearing face masks to stop the spread of the coronavirus, Mr Trudeau said that they are helpful in that they protect others from you “breathing or speaking moistly on them.”

A nation cringed as its leader quickly realised his mistake and corrected himself, saying: “Ugh, what a terrible image.”

Mr Trudeau was referring to recommendations made by Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam that Canadians wear non-medical or cloth masks in public places, particularly where social distancing is difficult.

In a dark time, viewers of the prime minister’s daily press conference enjoyed the moment of levity.

Liberal member of parliament Chris Bittle said on Twitter: “For Canadians recovering from hearing their Prime Minister say ‘speaking moistly’. Let me say that we have your backs. Please remain inside and we'll have more supports in the days to come.”

Similar advice about the wearing of non-medical face masks has been given to the public in a number of countries, with the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention making the same recommendation.

Reiterating the importance of hand washing and social distancing, Dr Tam said their use was an “added layer of prevention” to protect those around you from exposure to the coronavirus, should you be infected, but asymptomatic.

Health Minister Patty Hajdu added her support to the wearing of non-medical cloth masks, saying: “If there was not a way for me to practice social distancing, I wouldn't hesitate to wear that.”

In her own coronavirus case update, Dr Tam confirmed that Canada now has 17,063 cases and 345 deaths. Some 346,000 tests have been completed with five per cent confirmed positive.