ENGLAND

Johnson warned last-gasp talks for a Brexit trade deal with the European Union could fail, and urged the public to prepare for a "no deal."

Even as hopes rise for vaccines and a resulting economic recovery, governments are being forced to tighten restrictions to contain surges in infections.

Johnson has insisted Britain will "prosper mightily" whatever the outcome of the talks, but he will face severe political and economic fallout if he cannot seal a deal.

England's deputy chief medical officer, Prof Jonathan Van-Tam has called on those eligible for the flu vaccine to book their appointments at the soonest possible time.

Labour shadow health minister Jonathan Ashworth tweeted that as Britain's death toll from coronavirus reached 50,000, "the preoccupation of Boris Johnson is his squabbling spin doctors."

The shuttering of bookshops ahead of the busy Christmas period is particularly hard for independent booksellers.

Without a deal, Britain would leave the EU single market and customs union on January 1.

The alternative could be a reduction in PPV pricing from £14.95 per match down to about £9.95 or even as low as £7.50.

Renewed stay-at-home restrictions and business closures came into force Thursday and are set to last for four weeks.

More than 9.4 million people have been infected and 233,000 have died in the United States since the disease was first detected in China late last year.

While opinion polls suggest overall public backing for the stay-at-home policy, concerns are mounting about the impact on the economy and on mental health.

UK Hospitality has warned that clubs, pubs, bars will face the cumulative effects of the first lockdown and more recent restrictions when they shut again.

Many shoppers resented the lockdown, which comes just as shops geared up for the pre-Christmas rush.

The second national lockdown, announced late Saturday following warnings hospitals could be overwhelmed within weeks, is set to come into force from Thursday.

Johnson is expected to announce on Monday the stringent new rules closing all but "essential" stores, while keeping schools, colleges and universities open.

Cases are doubling every nine days and rising in all age groups and regions, according to the ongoing study by Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI.

If no deal is found and implemented before December 31, Britain will end up trading with the EU on bare bones WTO regulations.

Britain left the European Union on January 31, but Barnier and Frost have been locked in months of inconclusive talks on a follow-on trade arrangement.

The British side has accused Brussels of trying to force concessions by running down the clock.

England won 20 of their last 21 competitive home games and scored 67 goals.

It will replace key elements of an existing partnership agreement between Ukraine and the European Union.