RICHMOND residents should consider carrying on wearing masks in public places after Plan B measures are lifted next week, Council leader Gareth Roberts has said.

He described current covid-19 case rates in the borough as "incredibly high" despite a fall of almost half in the area's infection rate compared to a month ago.

Richmond borough's weekly case rate was 911.5 as of Tuesday 18 January, according to DataRich - higher than average for the UK (748.0) and London (879.6).

Cllr Roberts said: "It is really good news that the number of cases has fallen nationally, and also in Richmond, from the peak of 1,786 per 100,000 in a week to our current figure which is around 916. But we must remember that this case rate is still incredibly high.

"High cases matter because although some people might experience this as a fairly mild disease, many people won't.

"Yes, the number of people being hospitalised isn't as high, but there are many people who have still had a nasty illness.

"There is strong evidence that COVID-19 can cause an illness which lasts for many months in some people."

This week, it emerged that as many as 3,000 people in Richmond borough are suffering from Long Covid with 1,200 affected by symptoms for more than a week.

Twickenham resident Catelin bravely opened up about her struggle with Long Covid in a YouTube video posted by the Council.

Cllr Roberts' comments come after the government announced that 'Plan B' lockdown restrictions would be phased out completely from 27 January.

This includes an end to government guidance to work from home if possible, though returning to the office should be discussed with individual employers.

Masks are no longer advised for staff and pupils in secondary school and college classrooms, as of today (20 January).

From Thursday next week, legal requirements to wear face coverings will also be removed. However, the government will still suggest that people still wear masks in crowded and enclosed spaces, where they might come into contact with people they don't normally meet - for example public transport or busy indoor settings.

Other Plan B restrictions that will be removed on 27 January include mandatory COVID passes - these will now be voluntary only - and advice for staff and pupils to wear masks in school communal areas.

Speaking about the ending of Plan B restrictions, Cllr Roberts said: "COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease and so many people are having to take time not just off work but also out of their usual life by self-isolating, even if they have milder symptoms.

"Although the policy change means that some people can leave self-isolation early, many people are finding that they are still infectious (LFT-positive) and are having to remain self-isolated for 10 days.

"Vaccination has also been key to reducing the spread but most importantly reducing the proportion of people who are now dying from COVID-19, which is excellent news; but many in the borough are still to have the jab.

"So, even though Plan B is ending, we still need to be doing what we can to reduce the impact of this highly infectious disease.

"Many residents have expressed their concern regarding the ending of wearing of face coverings in indoor settings and on public transport. I share that concern.

"I would remind them that while the requirement to wear masks and face coverings may have been removed there is nothing to stop residents from continuing to wear them if they so choose.

"Certainly, I will continue to wear a mask on public transport and in shops and supermarkets until such time as numbers fall substantially."