Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian secretary Emily Shepherd said school closures and assertive social distancing would enable health workers to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in a more controlled way.

Coronavirus: All the latest updates on COVID-19 for Northern Tasmania

"We are focussed on the health and well being of Tasmanians and school closures could reduce the spread," Ms Shepherd said.

"The issue is that young children in primary school don't understand social distancing.

"While the children themselves may not become very unwell, they will potentially be asymptomatic and spread the virus to their families and vulnerable family members."

Ms Shepherd said immediate school closures to flatten the curve of the pandemic.

"We also call upon the government to urgently develop a plan to ensure support of the children of healthcare workers, so nurses, midwives and care workers are enabled to continue working," Ms Shepherd said.

"The ANMF suggests healthcare workers' childcare needs should be mapped now and teachers who would not be working with school closures could work in small groups of less than 10 to support ongoing curriculum to healthcare workers children of similar ages."

An Australian Education Union Tasmanian branch spokesman said the AEU would not comment on the ANMF's call for school closures.

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Meanwhile, AEU Tasmania President Helen Richardson agreed with comments by Labor leader Rebecca White who said there was a lack of soap and sanitisers in some schools for enhanced cleaning.

Ms Richardson said schools needed clear advice from the government to reassure students and teachers that schools were safe.

"There is a lack of clear advice from the state government about how vulnerable educators should manage their own health and welfare and how to keep vulnerable students safe and adhering to hygiene measures," Ms Richardson said.