Flu season in Canada typically ramps up in late fall and peaks through the winter — and every year, the workplaces that sail through it are the ones that stocked up in September and October, not the ones panic-ordering in December. Here's the checklist we'd hand any office manager, clinic administrator, or facilities lead, with realistic quantities.
1. Rapid tests — the early warning system
The single highest-leverage item. A symptomatic employee who tests at home instead of guessing keeps an outbreak from starting. Stock combination COVID/flu kits so one swab answers the whole question, and keep enough on hand that nobody rations them: a good baseline is 2–3 tests per employee for the season. See our full guide to rapid test kits, including Canadian-made Artron 5-packs.
2. Masks — for the ones who show up anyway
Someone will always come in sniffling. A visible supply of masks at reception turns an awkward conversation into a simple habit. For general workplaces, ASTM Level 3 surgical masks (made in Canada) are the sweet spot of protection and comfort; for healthcare settings or anyone who wants respirator-level protection, Canadian-made CA-N95 flat folds fit without fit-testing infrastructure. Baseline: one 50-box per 10 employees gets most offices through the season.
3. Surface disinfection — the shared-touch problem
Flu viruses survive on hard surfaces for hours. Door handles, kitchen counters, meeting-room tables, and the office coffee machine are the season's superhighways. Professional wipes beat spray-and-paper-towel because the contact time is built in — Oxivir TB wipes disinfect in one minute and need no rinse, which means staff actually use them correctly. Baseline: one 160-count canister per shared area per month, more for kitchens and reception. Full comparison in our wipes collection.
4. Hand sanitizer — placement beats volume
Compliance is about convenience: a pump at every entrance, one in every meeting room, one at reception, and personal 60 mL bottles for anyone client-facing or on the road. 70% alcohol gel, made in Canada. People use the sanitizer that's within arm's reach and ignore the one down the hall.
5. Gloves — for the cleanup crew
Whoever wipes down shared spaces, handles waste, or restocks washrooms should be doing it gloved — disinfectant chemicals are hard on skin, and gloves make thorough cleaning something staff don't avoid. A couple of boxes of nitrile gloves near the cleaning supplies covers the season.
The one-order checklist
- ☑ Combination COVID/flu rapid tests — 2–3 per employee
- ☑ Level 3 masks — one 50-box per 10 staff
- ☑ Disinfectant wipes — one canister per shared area per month
- ☑ Hand sanitizer — every entrance, meeting room, and reception
- ☑ Nitrile gloves — for cleaning and waste duty
Everything above ships together from our Ontario warehouse — orders over $149.99 ship free, which a flu-season stock-up clears easily. Ordering for a larger team or multiple locations? Get in touch for case pricing, or call 1-877-347-7445. Stock in October; thank yourself in January.
