A broad study was last week undertaken by Western Riverina Arts, sampling 65 community events over 22 organisations in the Western Riverina area.

The total economic impact across the communities of Narrandera, Griffith, Leeton and the Murrumbidgee since March 14 has been at least $1.6 million.

Organisations contacted in the study were arts centres, galleries, museums, event promoters, Aboriginal Land Councils, Aboriginal Medical Centres, shire councils, arts and community workers, clubs and churches.

Western Riverina Arts executive director Aanya Whitehead, who is based in Leeton, said the study showed in simple terms there has been a measurable loss of over one quarter of a million dollars every day since sweeping bans on crowd gatherings began.

Ms Whitehead said one area of the community "seriously impacted" was Indigenous organisations that provide a broad range of community and medical services.

These services include weekly outreach programs like health checks.

All promoted programs have been cancelled except for flu vaccinations.

"Yet even with secure infrastructure and existing funding, there is no precedent to this situation," she said.

The study showed everyone is affected by the COVID-19 ban, not just the arts and community workers.

Small businesses are losing substantial cashflow from the cancellation of festivals, public events, council-run programs, sports classes and community initiatives both at a micro and macro level.

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However, there was a universal co-operation and goodwill from all who contributed to the study, acknowledging that Australia needs to get through this crisis with action taken by everyone.

Leeton and District Aboriginal Land Council CEO Karen Davy said now was a time for everyone to take care of each other as a whole nation.

"We live in a world of such frenzy and immediacy that we can barely catch our breath," she said.

"We can use this time to slow down, smell the roses and remember what is important."

The Australian Banking Association has announced its stimulus package.

Chief Executive Anna Bligh has told the media on Friday the big four banks will allow small businesses to defer payments on their loans for six months, to help them see them through the economic crisis.

"Banks will make sure that this deferral of payments is available to any small business that is in critical need because of COVID-19," Ms Bligh said.

"All that businesses will have to do is to register their need with their bank. Banks are not going to wait for businesses to come to them - they are, right now, out in the field, talking to their business customers, putting things out through their customer channels, and telling customers how they can reach their bank to access this deferral of payments.

"Banks want to make sure that every business, every small business knows, they are now able to get six months' deferral on all loans associated with the business, and we are fast-tracking that to get those provisions in place as soon as possible. Every bank is now reaching out to their customers to tell them what they have to do for their own bank."