Close contact isolation rules could be scrapped in Tasmania as early as next week.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff on Thursday flagged an easing of COVID-19 restrictions as the state recorded another 1468 cases and one death.
"Often we've followed other states in terms of borders reopening and ... relaxing restriction rules," he told reporters.
"Public Health is working through those matters now in conjunction with the AHPPC, and you can expect an announcement from the government by the end of next week in terms of a pathway forward."
From Saturday, close contacts in Victoria and NSW will no longer need to isolate for seven days as long as they're symptom free.
Other rules around venue check-ins and vaccination mandates were also relaxed in Victoria.
But Mr Rockliff did not say whether Tasmania would follow suit and ease more restrictions.
Both the Tasmanian Small Business Council and Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce want to see an end to close contact isolation rules to get more people working.
"Put simply, if people think they have COVID or are showing symptoms, they should take a Rapid Antigen Test and if it is positive stay at home," TSBC chief executive Robert Mallett said in a statement.
"If people are testing themselves solely because a contact has COVID and they return a negative test, they should return to work."
But The Greens say Tasmania should not follow NSW and Victoria because the state still has a high rate of infection.
The debate comes as another patient at the Launceston General Hospital tested positive to COVID-19.
There are now five positive cases in the hospital's general medicine ward, which remains closed to visitors and admissions.
It is the fourth COVID-19 outbreak at a Tasmanian hospital since the pandemic started.
There is also more support for Tasmanian businesses dealing with the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.
Businesses that experienced trading losses or a significant reduction in customer demand between March 15 and April 14 this year can apply for grants ranging between $1000 and $10,000.
Grant applications will close on May 12.
