Halls Gap Visitor Information Centre will maintain normal operations with paid staff members amid precautionary measures across the region to help in national efforts to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

But St Arnaud Visitor Information Centre has closed until further notice as a precaution to protect the centre’s volunteers, many of whom belong to vulnerable groups in the community.

Stawell Visitor Information Centre will be open Thursdays and Fridays.

Grampians Tourism has introduced the measures, following a decision to cancel Grampians Grape Escape 2020 on advice from government authorities.

Grampians Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman said it was with great sadness in making the decision to cancel Grampians Grape Escape.

“But the health and safety of patrons, exhibitors, performers, partners and volunteers is of the utmost importance to Grampians Tourism, Grampians Grape Escape organiser,” he said.

Mr Sleeman said the cancellation of this year’s festival was a precautionary measure to reduce potential risks in response to the current global health crisis, as well as being in line with state and federal government health advice.

He said Grampians Tourism was continually monitoring the situation alongside regional and state authorities.

Latest information about a tourist-industry response to the virus is available on a dedicated COVID-19 page on Grampians Tourism’s website.