Hundreds of businesses have closed their doors in the past weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing laws.

It hasn't been any easier for the media industry with regional news media suffering multiple blows; the closure of newspapers in Mildura and Gippsland and the entire Leader group, Nine suspending its regional bulletins and 3BA laying off staff.

But we at The Courier are still here and still doing what we do best; bringing you the information about Ballarat that you need.

These may be uncertain times as the coronavirus sweeps the country but we have no intention of closing down and we know you are coming to us more than ever before.

In March The Courier recorded a staggering 1.25 million unique users on our website and paper home deliveries continued to climb as people went into lockdown, but the vital local news people needed became more important than ever.

This is the biggest audience in our 153-year history and when we talk about the vital role of regional news in a time of crisis we would argue more than a million people can't be wrong.

Our office may be closed to the public but The Courier team continue to bring you the best and latest news from their homes and out on the street.

We won't be publishing a print product on Good Friday or Easter Monday (don't worry the weekly television guide will run in Thursday's edition) but we will be online seven days a week from morning to night keeping you informed and entertained.

For all our loyal subscribers, our special thanks in these difficult times; you should be proud that it is your ongoing support that keeps us going and keeps Ballarat informed.

This is a rapidly changing situation and we aim to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.

Regards

Eugene Duffy

Editor

The Courier

PS. Our news room phone line 5320 1261 and email cos@thecourier.com.au are still open for any queries or newstips.

Or if you need help placing an ad: Classifieds email address: classifieds@thecourier.com.au

Phone: 03 5320 1200