The State Government will provide emergency relief payments to Tasmanians forced to self-isolate during the coronavirus pandemic as part of a $420 million package also providing relief to affected businesses.

Key points: The Government says its $420 million economic stimulus package aims to support self-isolation and save jobs

The Government says its $420 million economic stimulus package aims to support self-isolation and save jobs There will be $20 million available in interest-free loans for businesses in the hospitality, tourism, seafood and exports sectors

There will be $20 million available in interest-free loans for businesses in the hospitality, tourism, seafood and exports sectors Payroll tax will also be waived for the last four months of this financial year for those sectors

In a ministerial statement to the House of Assembly, Premier Peter Gutwein has announced one-off emergency relief payments for casual workers and those on low incomes of $250 for individuals and $1,000 for families forced to self-isolate, as well as $2 million in primary health support for GPs and pharmacies.

There will also be $1 million to support frontline workers with accommodation needs where family members are unwell, to ensure the workers can continue contributing to the coronavirus response.

Grants of $1 million will be provided to mental health organisations to support individuals experiencing mental health difficulties as a result of the pandemic.

Mr Gutwein said $20 million in interest-free loans will be provided to the hospitality, tourism, seafood and exports sectors as part of a package to help businesses under pressure.

The Government will waive also payroll tax for the last four months of this financial year for those sectors.

Small businesses will also be able to apply to have their payroll tax waived, and a youth employment payroll tax scheme will be introduced.

Other measures include $50 million in interest-free loans for local governments, and the bringing forward of $50 million in maintenance on public buildings.

"We know this pandemic will also have very real and significant economic consequences, and our Government will do everything it can to manage and mitigate those impacts on businesses, jobs, families and the Tasmanian community," Mr Gutwein said.

"Today, we have announced a $420 million support package which will provide additional support to the public sector and targeted assistance to our businesses and workforce to keep Tasmanians in jobs."

The Government will also remove the efficiency dividend introduced across the public sector in last year's budget over the forward estimates.

Labor calls for Government to 'control spread' of coronavirus

Prior to the Government's announcement, Opposition Leader Rebecca White called on the Government to take "swift action" to reduce the spread of coronavirus, saying the "biggest and most detrimental impact" to Tasmania would come from failing to contain the virus while it was still possible.

"Irrespective of any stimulus package, what we can do right now in Tasmania is control the spread of the virus," Ms White said.

"That's the best way to protect our economy and support businesses as they continue to trade here in Tasmania."

Ms White also called on the Government to reveal how many intensive-care beds and ventilator machines were currently available in the state.

"We know from looking at other countries that there will be enormous demand for those ventilators and ICU beds, and we need to be prepared to respond if that's necessary in Tasmania," she said.

"Failing to give that information to Tasmanians does create uneasiness because they start to wonder what else the government is keeping from them."

The Tasmanian Greens called for the State Government to take immediate steps to reduce the risk of Tasmanians dying from COVID-19 and the possibility of intensive care units being overwhelmed.

The Greens said they were expecting school closures to be announced as soon as possible, and people entering the state by sea or air to be quarantined.

Unions claim package 'leaves workers behind'

Unions Tasmania's Jessica Munday said workers and unions were not consulted in the "design of the package"'

"While representatives from industry and business were invited to stakeholder consultations, unions were not.

"A $250 emergency relief payment will go little way towards covering a casual worker's expenses."

Ms Munday said the payment "won't cover most people's rent let alone food, bills, heating, their phone bill and essential medications".

"It's like the people who come up with these packages have never met a real worker before."

Earlier, the Tasmanian Government announced it had declared a public health emergency, giving special powers to the director of public health to quarantine, isolate and evacuate people.

The Government also said it had accepted "practical completion" of the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment, known as K-Block, which could ease pressures on the hospital.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 3 minutes 57 seconds 3 m 57 s Dr Norman Swan explains coronavirus terminology