Leave the dust cover on!
The top plate cannot be "removed" rather, the top of the deck will open up rather like the hood on a car, to expose the inner workings.
The hinge of the "hood" is on the LHS and the fixings are under the RHS (looking from the front)
Here's how.......
Remove the cartridge!!!
Remove the platter and move the arm carriage gently across to the centre (ie. as far left as possible).
Look under the RHS and remove the two screws under the edge of the deck.
Now lift the RHS of the deck but take care that the arm carriage is clear.
Most decks have a "hood" stay clipped up along the rear edge and a corresponding hole to fix it in the raised position.
Good Luck!