Australian Community Media's 14 daily newspapers have united with a single message to "stay at home" to help stop the coronavirus spreading.

Its Canberra Times and regional daily mastheads in Victoria, NSW and Tasmania featured a common 'In Your Hands' graphic and headline to ram home the message. "Now is the time to protect yourself and others," they said.

ACM's chief executive officer Allen Williams says the message will be continued over coming week on social sites and the front pages of its other 150 local newspapers. Sites had a role to play to help keep readers and their families safe.

Access to ACM's coverage of COVID-19 issues is free, with the publisher reporting a 153 per cent increase in sessions, compared to this same time last year.

A new 'Open for Business' portal across all websites allows businesses to indicate how customers can interact with them through takeaways, deliveries and remote service. More than 2600 listings received across 70 mastheads in the first three days, and the updated listing are being presented online and in print.

The publisher is also extending deadlines for booking and material to make it easier for advertisers.