His comments come after the state government closed all 19 national parks and 823 reserves to recreational use at midnight last Thursday, in a bid to halt the spread of the deadly coronavirus by limiting unnecessary travel.

Senator Whish-Wilson has written to Premier Peter Gutwein to request a discussion with him about the possibility of loosening restrictions around public access to reserves in particular, after numerous constituents made representations to him objecting to the measure.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced strict new self-isolation rules on Sunday, which require Australians to stay at home except for infrequent shopping trips, medical appointments, work and school commitments and exercise.

Senator Whish-Wilson believes Tasmanians who live in close proximity to reserves should be able to access them for exercise as normal. He said this was important not only for people's physical wellbeing but for their mental health as well.

"If you're isolated to your local community under both state and federal ... regulations, many people who live around reserves can now not access them," he said.

"I totally get why the government has closed national parks because it doesn't want people camping and in car parks and using barbecue sites and that kind of thing.

"But [for] reserves, I would like to see if there's any scope for winding back some of the regulations around access to reserves - but for locals, in their local area.

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"In terms of risking spreading [the coronavirus], I think it's counterproductive too, because ... how's it going to help [by] reducing people's places for exercise?"

The senator commended Mr Gutwein for his "strong" leadership during the public health crisis to date, but said this was one policy he was "losing public support" on.

Environment and Parks Minister Roger Jaensch said last week that national parks and reserves would remain closed until it was safe to reopen them.

"We know that many Tasmanians feel a connection to our parks and natural spaces, but for public safety reasons this is not the time to travel and undertake recreation activities - especially during the upcoming school holidays," he said.

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