The federal and Tasmanian governments have rightly received praise for their measures to protect some of those most vulnerable to the coronavirus downturn - renters and the unemployed, among others.

But there is still work to do.

Carers fulfill a vital role, ensuring their loved ones receive the dignity of life they deserve, all the while not receiving payment for carrying out tasks that can occupy 40 hours of their week.

They are feeling the effects of the COVID-19 crisis worse than almost anyone. With their family members at greater risk of serious harm from the virus, and with support unable to attend their homes, the isolation must be devastating.

Factor in that almost half of Tasmania's surveyed carers in employment have lost hours - if not lost their jobs completely - then the difficulties only compound.

So it makes it even more disappointing that the $550 ongoing Coronavirus Supplement has not been extended to those on the Carer Payment, Disability Support Pension and Age Pension.

An oversight by the government? Perhaps not, it seems, as Finance Minister Mathias Cormann did not say as much under questioning last week.

Surely the government must revisit this decision.

Likewise, at the state level, it appears that homeless Tasmanians are receiving minimal extra support. The government's packages included funding for support organisations for food packages and other measures, but the homeless will continue to sleep rough, or sleep in overcrowded insecure housing situations. The Western Australian government has started a trial of putting homeless people in vacant hotels during the COVID-19 crisis. Surely we have the capacity to investigate similar solutions.

The spirit of goodwill has so far brought encouraging results from the government during this crisis. Here's hoping it continues.