Southwark Council has redoubled calls for everyone to get vaccinated and boosted against Covid-19 when they can, with confirmed cases of Omicron in the borough and cases rising across south-east London and the rest of the UK.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson brought in ‘plan B’ measures this week, like telling people to work from home if they can, reintroducing face mask mandates, and introducing limits on capacity at big events.
The council said in an advice message to residents on plan B that the Omicron variant has been detected in Southwark.
Cllr Evelyn Akoto, the council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Similar to the rest of the country, we are seeing rising COVID-19 numbers in Southwark. In the last week alone, rates increased by 45 per cent.
“To limit the spread of COVID-19, the government has moved to ‘Plan B’ arrangements. These make it a legal requirement to wear face coverings in most places where you mix with other people. They also ask people to work from home if you can.
“This week marks one year on since the first COVID-19 vaccine was given in England. It remains our best defence against the virus, further strengthened by carefully following current guidance and getting tested regularly. It’s really important we all get vaccinated and get a booster jab when we’re eligible. We must do all we can to protect lives and livelihoods as we move towards Christmas.”