Coronavirus cases are falling in Richmond as the town gets set to leave lockdown in the middle of next week.

In his weekly video address Richmond Council leader Gareth Roberts said our infection rate is below the London average.

The government's interactive map, which plots the number of cases within the past seven days, shows that the spread of Covid-19 is falling in areas including Richmond Central, St Margarets, Mortlake and South Barnes, North Sheen and across Teddington.

You can watch Cllr Roberts' two-minute video message at the top of this page or read a transcript of it below.

He said: "These are the Covid-19 statistics for Richmond-upon-Thames.

"Over the last seven days the rate of infection in the borough is 101 cases per 100,000 head of population.

"This is a lower figure than the previous week and is lower than the London average.

"It equates to approximately 200 cases identified within the borough over the last seven days and brings the total number of cases identified since March to 2,603.

"Over the last seven days there have been no new deaths linked to the virus reported in the borough. Therefore, since February the total number of deaths [due to coronavirus] remains at 155.

"Over the last seven days we have tested 2,789 people and have had a positive return rate on those tests of 8.1%. The discrepancy between the positive return rate and the number of tests conducted and the number of cases identified is explained by people receiving more than one test."

He added: "At one minute past midnight on Wednesday, we will leave lockdown two and move into Tier 2.

"There will be some changes from the previous Tier 2 arrangements, most notably related to the hospitality industry.

"Pubs will only be allowed to serve alcohol if it is being served with a substantial meal and the curfew which was originally 10pm will now be lifted to 11pm.

"The council will start to reopen services from next week, including our libraries and our gyms and sporting equipment.

"You can find full details of the new restrictions on the council website and we will be issuing further guidance as the days go on.

"In the meantime, it's important to keep following all of the rules, including washing your hands wherever possible, wearing a face mask or covering when out and about in supermarkets, shops, public transport and similarly enclosed public spaces.

"And, of course, as we move into Tier 2 the rule of six comes back into play. So please stay healthy and protect yourselves and others. Thank you."

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