In NSW, an extra 1400 people need to roll up their sleeves over the long weekend.

The service is currently seeing approximately 900 cancellations per day across Australia.

"While there could be a number of reasons for this, we know people are changing their routines," Lifeblood spokesperson Nicky Breen said.

"We need 29,000 blood donations around Australia each and every week.

"There is no substitute for blood and we can't stockpile it, so it's vitally important people keep donating, and if they have an appointment, and are feeling well, to please keep it."

Blood is needed every day for accidents, emergency surgery, new mums and cancer patients.

"Our donor centres are safe places to visit. Our strict screening process means we don't allow people who are unwell to donate blood," Ms Breen said.

"Donor centres have always been highly regulated spaces - but we have implemented further measures to help protect our donors and our teams, including increased disinfecting, additional hand sanitiser, restricting non-donating visitors to our centres, and implementing social distancing wherever possible. In some centres, we've rearranged the furniture to make this possible.

"We have a dedicated group of experts who have been closely monitoring developments and giving advice. We have introduced new blood donation rules, including a 28 day wait period for anyone returning from overseas, or anyone who has come into contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus."

There is no evidence of coronavirus being transfusion transmissible, she added.

There are currently 500,000 blood donors in Australia but millions more who may be eligible to donate.

To organise an appointment please call 13 14 95 or visit our website: donateblood.com.au.

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