Homeless Tasmanians will not be fined for breaching state's new restrictions

For the next four weeks, Tasmanians are required to stay at home unless they are attending work or school, purchasing essential supplies, attending medical appointments or visiting somebody on compassionate grounds.

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

Premier Peter Gutwein said on Wednesday to the best of his knowledge no homeless people had be fined for breaching the new rules.

"In terms of being charged, we've issued 10 infringement notices for people that were camping in our national parks. I'm not sure if [a homeless person] was one of those people," Mr Gutwein said.

When asked if the government was considering housing the homeless in hotels for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis, Housing Minister Roger Jaensch said the government would be reviewing its options as the situation unfolded.

"Currently, the government has secured hotel accommodation for those required to self-quarantine under directions made under the Public Health Act 1997, which includes people returning from mainland Australia," Mr Jaensch said.

"In terms of emergency accommodation, the operations of Tasmania's shelters, including through brokerage of accommodation, will continue."

But Labor leader Rebecca White said the government needed to ensure easier access to emergency accommodation to allow people without a home to remain safe during the crisis.

"On any given night, 1600 Tasmanians are homeless, and many other families are couch surfing, relying on their friends and families or living in sheds, cars or tents," Ms White said.

"This is unacceptable at the best of times but, during this crisis, it is also dangerous for everyone.

"All people who are homeless need shelter so they can safely self-isolate and there needs to be easier access to emergency accommodation to enable immediate compliance."

Ms White said emergency accommodation providers needed further support to match a surge in demand.

"We are hearing concerns from people working in the sector that there is not enough access to personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves," she said.

"The government should also extend the length of time people can stay in shelters so that no-one is moved on during this crisis. This would be consistent with steps taken in other states and is a practice that should be adopted in Tasmania."