Winter is coming and so is the bleak prospect of a return to enforced mask wearing, working from home and vaccine passports.
In a downbeat press conference, Boris Johnson warned that "our position today is actually more challenging" than last September, with Covid cases, deaths and hospital admissions all creeping up.
But we are now in a very different pandemic. Even government scientists appear to agree that this winter will not see a repeat of last year.
So why is the Government considering the nuclear deterrent of Plan B? Science Editor Sarah Knapton analyses the data behind the threat.
After the Prime Minister put the public on alert of a potential new wave of restrictions - possibly even including a lockdown - here is a reminder of what the Covid winter plan could mean for you.
Prof Robert Dingwall argues that Mr Johnson should have declared the pandemic over.
And sketchwriter Michael Deacon says Mr Johnson was asked the most bizarre question ever.
There was no work-from-home order from the Prime Minister, but nor did he enthusiastically urge Britain's army of office workers to get back to normal and return to their desks.
Global Health Security Editor Paul Nuki says the Government's official guidance to employers remains vaguely threatening as he explains why employees staying at home could be the key to keeping the virus suppressed.
These are your flexible working rights if your employer asks you to return to the office.
UK to fund asylum units away from French coast
Britain is to help fund a network of asylum reception centres in France as part of the ￡54？million aid package offered by the Government to counter the record surge in Channel migrants. The Home Office is negotiating to help pay for the centres to accommodate people intercepted before crossing the Channel in order to prevent them making further attempts to reach the UK in small boats. Migrants are known to make multiple efforts to cross. Home Affairs Editor Charles Hymas reports that MPs complain the French tend to release migrants caught on beaches unless officers can arrest the smugglers in situ.
New iPhone: Bigger battery and 'cinematic' mode
They were tweaks, rather than major changes. Apple has sought to maintain its run of record iPhone sales with a series of new models that boost battery life and feature more advanced "cinematic" mode cameras. It has unveiled four new iPhone 13 handsets that feature few significant design changes. Here is everything you need to know about the new phones, including prices and release dates. James Titcomb says it is good news for Apple that its iPhone launches are no longer a spectacle.
Daily dose of Matt Today's cartoon | View Matt's latest cartoon on the funny side of the spectre of winter lockdowns. Also in the news: Today's other headlines
Military tensions | North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea early today, according to the South's military, as China's foreign minister visited Seoul - Pyongyang's second launch in less than a week. Analysts said the timing was an unmistakable signal to Beijing, the North's key diplomatic ally and main partner for trade and aid. Read all we know.
Emma Raducanu | John McEnroe refuses to back down in row Prince Andrew | Hollywood lawyer intervenes in legal strategy 'Barbaric' | More than 1,400 dolphins slaughtered in one day 'Undo injustice' | Britain should pay for slavery, says Cambridge Dean Litter and makeshift loos | Wild campers hounded out of Dartmoor Around the world: Stormy weather hits US
Lifeguards were mobilised to warn of worsening weather and beachgoers headed inland to seek shelter as Tropical Storm Nicholas made landfall in Texas. View more pictures of the day in our gallery.
Comment and analysis Allison Pearson | Vaccinating children is a decision for families Philip Johnston | PM once knew money wouldn't cure NHS's ills Reader letters | The Cabinet is incapable of radical thinking Ben Wright | Spooked businesses on brink of inflationary spiral Ben Marlow | Apple must end its iPhone obsession to avoid crisis Editor's choice On the box | Is the UK really ready for a Right-wing TV news station? Schumacher, review | A catastrophically misjudged positioning exercise Outfits to watch | Eight style lessons from glitzy New York Fashion Week Sport briefing: Manchester United blow it
Young Boys pulled off a shock 2-1 home win over 10-man Manchester United with a stoppage-time goal from Jordan Siebatcheu to get their Champions League campaign off to the perfect start. James Ducker has our match report. Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that spectators who refuse to be vaccinated against coronavirus will be banned from attending major sporting events if there is a surge in hospital cases.
Business briefing: Grainge set for ￡123m payday
The British record label mogul Sir Lucian Grainge is on track for one of the biggest executive payouts in corporate history when Universal Music makes its stock market debut next week. Sir Lucian, the chairman and chief executive of Universal who nearly died of coronavirus last year, is due to receive cash bonuses worth more than ￡123million.
Tonight's dinner
Slow-roasted peppers and aubergines with basil and almond dressing | This stunning vegetarian dish makes supermarket staples sing. View the recipe and try our Cookbook newsletter.
Your daily travel inspiration
Go by rail | For the cost of a return fare from Preston to London, you could have a 15-day European rail holiday. The Continent is criss-crossed with delightfully scenic (and cheap) journeys. Emma Featherstone identifies six beautiful train routes for the price of a UK ticket.
And finally... for this morning's downtime
Blue-eyed rival | He was barred from running for office, poisoned and imprisoned, yet Alexei Navalny somehow remains a thorn in Vladimir Putin's side. Marcel Theroux explains how he became the man that the Russian president cannot silence.
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