Supermarket shelves have been stripped of supplies, including toilet paper, while local pharmacies have sold out of hand sanitiser and face masks as residents stock up in case of forced quarantining down the track.

Councillor Alex Christian told Wednesday night's Bathurst Regional Council meeting that he had been shocked to learn of the level of local panic buying with no cases of the virus recorded so far across the western region.

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"People seem to be freaking out here in Bathurst. People are running to the shops (buying) toilet paper, deodorant, tissues, hand sanitiser," he said.

"There is obviously significant concern about this particular virus and unfortunately we live in a nation these days that's terrified of its own shadow.

"... It's very, very important that people get the facts. I've asked a lot of people who are concerned about the coronavirus what their concerns are and they actually know very little about it so I think it's very important (the council) calls for calm.

"It's not the actual virus that's going to cause dramas here in Bathurst as much as people panicking."

Cr Jess Jennings also wanted to talk about coronavirus on Wednesday night, asking senior council staff for an update on how prepared the region was for a potential outbreak.

He suggested Bathurst, as a transport hub, might be at a heightened risk of an outbreak given the number of cars - around 24,000 - that travel through the city each day.

"Have we been contacted by the health sector to know how prepared our hospital is to accept any possible patients who have shown symptoms of the virus?" he asked.

"... On top of that, if any outbreak did occur and things got a bit more serious, how well are we prepared for utilising public buildings, whether they be for quarantine purposes or any other to do with an outbreak?"

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Acting general manager Alan Cattermole said council had received no specific information from health authorities but he understood Western NSW Local Health District was following all government protocols.

He said council's local emergency management officer would liaise with health's local emergency operations controller and council would "provide whatever services are required at that particular time".

"As in any fire or flood, we are not the lead combat agency, we are a supporting the lead combat agency which is the NSW state government," he said.

"(During) the recent fires we provided some of our public buildings that were made ready for evacuees, etc."