Quebec is pressing businesses in the province to get ready for a possible outbreak of H1N1 flu this fall.

Public institutions have been preparing for months to make sure they aren't caught off guard if there is an outbreak that affects their employees.

Hospitals, police forces and other organizations have developed strategies to continue delivering essential services, even in extraordinary circumstances where a large percentage of their staff becomes infected with swine flu.

The government is also working on a publicity campaign aimed at making sure the private sector is ready as well.

Businesses, recreational and community groups need to ask themselves questions about their preparedness, said Michel Doré, Quebec's civil security co-ordinator.

"What are my clients expecting from my organization if we have to reduce our capacity because of an unavailability of a significant portion of our staff?" Doré told CBC News.

National Bank reviewed its emergency strategy for the H1N1 virus last spring after 10 employees called in sick with the swine flu.

The bank took measures to protect itself from losing a large number of workers at the same time, and made sure employees from different sectors were trained to replace each other.

"We already know which sectors are critical, so we might be ready, for instance, to move employees from one sector to another one," said Denis Dubé, a National Bank spokesman.

The bank also installed antibacterial soap dispensers in all its buildings and is encouraging employees to wash their hands frequently.