The Australian Red Cross says it needs 14,000 donors before Easter to help ward off a blood shortage, as thousands of people confine themselves to their homes to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Lifeblood chief medical officer Joanne Pink said people are "changing their schedules during the current period of uncertainty", but the need for blood is ongoing, and she urged those who can donate to do so.

"We are unable to stockpile blood donations, unlike toilet paper," she said on Tuesday. "The need for blood doesn't stop."

Donations to the Australian Red Cross have slowed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Credit:Domino Postiglione

Dr Pink said Lifeblood clinics had seen a reduction of donors with "around 800 cancellations per day" nationally – about 5-10 per cent more than usual for this time of year.