Tamworth Regional Council has today taken the difficult decision to temporarily close the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre in the interest of the health and wellbeing of staff and volunteers.
The National Guitar Museum and the Gallery of Stars Wax Museum will also be closed. However, The Strings and Beans Café adjoining the centre will remain open.
Council's Coordinator Economic and Destination Development, Kate Baker, said many visitor information centres across regional NSW have also announced they will close until Friday next week when the current COVID-19 public health orders are scheduled to end.
"After much consideration we have agreed to temporarily close the visitor information centre until the end of next week," she said. "The safety and welfare of our staff and volunteers is paramount. When we considered the home location of people who came through the centre over the weekend, we had real concerns about people travelling from hotspots and not abiding by the current COVID-19 public health orders."
Likewise, the visitor information outlets operated by volunteers at Manilla and Nundle will also be temporarily closed.
At the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre, brochure stands filled with a range of information about local attractions have been positioned outside the front door. Staff will regularly restock the stands which will be taken inside each night. The centre's phone has been diverted to a Council staff member to ensure visitors can still access information or have questions answered.
"We chatted with a couple of people at the centre this morning who were happy with this approach and helped themselves to brochures," Ms Baker said.
