The Director of Public Health for Hounslow Council, Kelly O'Neill, has issued an open letter encouraging residents' to 'celebrate safely' this holiday season, get jabbed and wear a face mask.

"In these last few days before the holiday break I want to wish everyone who lives, works, and visits our borough a very Merry Christmas. After last year's challenging Christmas, I know that most people will be keen to get out and about to celebrate with friends and family members.

Although it currently looks like Government rules will allow us to see loved ones on and around Christmas Day, I want to take this opportunity to ask everyone to celebrate safely.

The Omicron variant of Covid-19 currently means that we have a very high and increasing number of positive cases in the borough. This means that we all have a responsibility to protect ourselves and those around us.

I want to urge everyone to take a few simple actions to keep us all safe. The most important thing that you can do is to make sure that you are fully vaccinated. It's the best defence against the virus and to help protect our NHS.

I have close links with the NHS, and I know first-hand the pressure that they are under and how they are only just managing to cope under the most challenging of circumstances.

Even if you haven't yet had your first jab then please do consider taking it. The booster vaccination is essential in giving full protection so please make sure you get this as soon as you are eligible. We have a large number of sites available for appointments and walk-ins and there is information on our website about this.

Take a lateral flow test before meeting others; if it's positive then follow isolation rules. Wear a face mask on public transport and in shops, this is the law and we do have enforcement officers to issue fines to all who are not exempt from wearing them. It's just not fair to everyone if you don't wear a mask when the rules say that you must do.

Even though masks are not currently compulsory in other places such as bars and cafes you should still consider wearing one to protect other customers and staff.

Getting out and about where possible, and seeing friends and family is vital for maintaining good mental and physical health and I hope everyone is able to do this; I just want everyone to do it safely."