Tasmanian Labor and the Greens say school closures are a life and death situation

News over the weekend regarding a spike of coronavirus cases in the states appeared to have been felt by parents of students at one North-West school which recorded more than 100 absent students on Monday.

The state government has remained firm on its position to keep schools open, citing advice from Public Health director Mark Veitch.

But Labor on Monday said there was no reason to keep schools open now there is a social security net in place to deal with the financial impacts of coronavirus on Tasmanian families.

Labor leader Rebecca White's call is in tune with Greens health spokeswoman and epidemiologist, Rosalie Woodruff, who has demanded schools shut to assist in virus containment measures and to ease community anxiety.

Mr White said schools and non-essential services should be closed immediately.

"Every hour we wait is putting lives at risk," she said.

"Now there is a social security net in place to support people, the government can take more urgent and decisive action.

Dr Woodruff said other states would stop school-based learning from Tuesday and New Zealand, which was at the same stage of the pandemic as Tasmania, had also decided to close schools.

"While schools remain open, businesses where patrons sit in close quarters are being shut down," she said.

"It sends a very confusing message to the community about the urgency to practice physical distancing.

"We are under no illusion that this is an easy call for government to make.

"That said, this is not a normal environment for teachers, students or families."