As we continue to respond to these challenging times, Tasmania's primary industries - our farmers and fishers - play an essential role because three quarters of what we produce is exported off island.

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

Tasmanians can be assured we are continuing to take action to safeguard our food supply over coming months as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds.

A priority remains ensuring Tasmanians have the food we need and the government welcomes comments from the federal government guaranteeing food and production supplies across all borders as an essential service. Last week's state government economic support package included a further $1.8 million for fisheries fees and licence relief which is on top of $3.7 million in fee relief already announced for rock lobster, giant crab, wild capture fin fisheries and abalone divers. This means a total support package of over $5.5 million.

This support package included a further $1.8 million in licence a fee relief for the seafood and fishing industry which is on top of $3.7 million in fee relief already announced for the rock lobster, crab and abalone industries. Tasmanians can be proud that we are self-sufficient with low-cost reliable clean energy and produce a ready supply of food, including world class meat, wild and farmed fisheries which produces a sufficient variety of fruit and vegetables to meet dietary requirements.

IN OTHER NEWS:

These sectors will support us through this event, and our primary industries will continue to put food on our tables. I applaud the actions of Tasmanian agriculture and seafood workers who are going about their jobs to keep food on our tables, as well as their own.

These sectors also underpin our rural and regional communities, and, on the other side of these circumstances, our primary industries will be a vital driver of economic growth over the next decade and beyond.

We are working with businesses to support freight noting that flights are dramatically reduced, however, TT-Line has increase capacity to carry freight and the Commonwealth has guaranteed that borders will stay open.

Importantly, I would like to remind Tasmanians that now is the time to support local businesses. Buy local, support local and look after each other wherever possible - Team Tasmania at work.