While Sweden claims that its resistance to lockdown has worked, the country's coronavirus data has exposed the loopholes its strategy to curb Covid-19 pandemic.

The country has been an outlier and did not join&nbsp;its European neighbors in imposing a lockdown.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/when-will-coronavirus-end-in-us-uk-france-india-study-predicts-dates-month-295324">When will COVID-19 end in US, UK, France, India? Study predicts dates &amp; month</a>

While schools, restaurants, bars and&nbsp;salons were shut down in other Nordic countries such as Denmark, Norway and Finland,&nbsp;Sweden refused to walk in their steps.

It was accused of creating&nbsp;''herd immunities''&nbsp;and&nbsp;criticized for not imposing a strict lockdown&nbsp;enforced by law.

Herd immunity&nbsp;occurs when a large enough percentage of a population becomes immune to a virus, either through infection or vaccination, thus preventing further spread throughout the group.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-leaders-agree-to-mobilise-eu1-trillion-as-covid-19-rescue-plan-294408" hreflang="en">EU leaders agree to mobilise €1 trillion as Covid-19 rescue plan</a>

Swedish Minister for Health and Social Affairs,&nbsp;Lena Hallengren said,&nbsp;"One of the main concerns now in Sweden is to strengthen the protection for those living in care homes for older people."

She also justified the measures taken by saying&nbsp;it was still "far too early to draw any firm conclusions as to the effectiveness of the measures taken in Sweden."

However, as a result of the controversial approach adopted by the country,&nbsp;the death toll in Sweden has now risen significantly higher than many other countries in Europe, reaching more than 21 per 100,000 people, according to figures from&nbsp;Johns Hopkins University.

By contrast, Denmark has recorded more than seven deaths per 100,000 people, and both Norway and Finland less than four.

While Sweden is still struggling to keep a check on its virus cases, Denmark and Norway also have even begun easing restrictions in their respective lockdowns.

While Sweden claims that its resistance to lockdown has worked, the country's coronavirus data has exposed the loopholes its strategy to curb Covid-19 pandemic. The country has been an outlier and did not join its European neighbors in imposing a lockdown.

While Sweden claims that its resistance to lockdown has worked, the country's coronavirus data has exposed the loopholes its strategy to curb Covid-19 pandemic. The country has been an outlier and did not join its European neighbors in imposing a lockdown. Also read: When will COVID-19 end in US, UK, France, India? Study predicts dates & month While schools, restaurants, bars and salons were shut down in other Nordic countries such as Denmark, Norway and Finland, Sweden refused to walk in their steps. It was accused of creating ''herd immunities'' and criticized for not imposing a strict lockdown enforced by law. Herd immunity occurs when a large enough percentage of a population becomes immune to a virus, either through infection or vaccination, thus preventing further spread throughout the group. Also read: EU leaders agree to mobilise €1 trillion as Covid-19 rescue plan Swedish Minister for Health and Social Affairs, Lena Hallengren said, "One of the main concerns now in Sweden is to strengthen the protection for those living in care homes for older people." She also justified the measures taken by saying it was still "far too early to draw any firm conclusions as to the effectiveness of the measures taken in Sweden." However, as a result of the controversial approach adopted by the country, the death toll in Sweden has now risen significantly higher than many other countries in Europe, reaching more than 21 per 100,000 people, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. By contrast, Denmark has recorded more than seven deaths per 100,000 people, and both Norway and Finland less than four. While Sweden is still struggling to keep a check on its virus cases, Denmark and Norway also have even begun easing restrictions in their respective lockdowns.

Coronavirus cases increase in Sweden after 'resistance' to complete lockdown

The White House coronavirus response coordinator,&nbsp;Dr. Deborah Birx, has revealed a&nbsp;"breakthrough"&nbsp;which US needs in order&nbsp;to screen large numbers of people.

As per&nbsp;Birx, this&nbsp;breakthrough is antigen testing which is often used to check for the flu and strep.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/when-will-coronavirus-end-in-us-uk-france-india-study-predicts-dates-month-295324">When will COVID-19 end in US, UK, France, India? Study predicts dates &amp; month</a>

The human body recognizes and&nbsp;responds to&nbsp;antigens. The antibodies produced by their bodies&nbsp;defend them against intruders such as antigens.

Antigen tests look for pieces of a virus which are usually the proteins that cover its surface.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/has-us-been-undercounting-covid-19-deaths-a-new-analysis-suggests-so-295223" hreflang="en">Has US been undercounting COVID-19 deaths? A new analysis suggests so</a>

It&nbsp;differs from a majority of&nbsp;Covid-19 tests, which look for the genetic material of the virus and require a number of chemicals to operate, many of which are in short supply.

According to the US&nbsp;Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antigen tests are simpler and they can provide results in as little as 15 minutes.

However, major limitations of the test are&nbsp;that it&nbsp;can also take hours to run, it is potentially less reliable, they're not easy to make, and validating their accuracy can be time-consuming and expensive. They&nbsp;did not have a big market before&nbsp;now.&nbsp;

Antigen tests are tailored to the 3D structure of the targeted virus, which is more nebulous than a neat, orderly genetic code. Making a test that comes back positive for the novel coronavirus and negative for everything else is extremely difficult.

The White House coronavirus response coordinator, Dr. Deborah Birx, has revealed a "breakthrough" which US needs in order to screen large numbers of people. As per Birx, this breakthrough is antigen testing which is often used to check for the flu and strep.

The White House coronavirus response coordinator, Dr. Deborah Birx, has revealed a "breakthrough" which US needs in order to screen large numbers of people. As per Birx, this breakthrough is antigen testing which is often used to check for the flu and strep. Also read: When will COVID-19 end in US, UK, France, India? Study predicts dates & month The human body recognizes and responds to antigens. The antibodies produced by their bodies defend them against intruders such as antigens. Antigen tests look for pieces of a virus which are usually the proteins that cover its surface. Also read: Has US been undercounting COVID-19 deaths? A new analysis suggests so It differs from a majority of Covid-19 tests, which look for the genetic material of the virus and require a number of chemicals to operate, many of which are in short supply. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antigen tests are simpler and they can provide results in as little as 15 minutes. However, major limitations of the test are that it can also take hours to run, it is potentially less reliable, they're not easy to make, and validating their accuracy can be time-consuming and expensive. They did not have a big market before now. Antigen tests are tailored to the 3D structure of the targeted virus, which is more nebulous than a neat, orderly genetic code. Making a test that comes back positive for the novel coronavirus and negative for everything else is extremely difficult.

White House coronavirus coordinator reveals 'breakthrough' which US requires

Students forced to sail across Atlantic due to coronavirus

As Covid-19 cases cross three million across the globe, a Singapore-based university has predicted the end of the coronavirus pandemic in 131 countries&nbsp;with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).

The study,&nbsp;conducted by University of Technology and Design (SUTD), used data&nbsp;on the basis of the&nbsp;SIR (susceptible-infected-recovered) model to predict the key dates of transition during the coronavirus lifecycle across the globe.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/has-us-been-undercounting-covid-19-deaths-a-new-analysis-suggests-so-295223" hreflang="en">Has US been undercounting COVID-19 deaths? A new analysis suggests so</a>

The model took its&nbsp;data&nbsp;from Our World in Data and code from Milan Batista and applieed&nbsp;the SIR Model for Spread of Disease also known as the&nbsp;Differential Equation Model,&nbsp;to predict&nbsp;the end of Covid-19.

The website also stated&nbsp;that the estimates were&nbsp;updated daily with the latest data and the analysis and predictions are only for educational and research purposes.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/very-serious-investigations-against-china-over-coronavirus-says-trump-295192">'Very serious investigations' against China over coronavirus, says Trump</a>

Through mathematical modeling, the university&nbsp;has predicted that the pandemic is likely to end&nbsp;97 per cent&nbsp;in the world on May 21 and end 100 per cent&nbsp;on December 8, 2020.

Although some countries, including Bahrain and Qatar, will see the last of its fresh cases in February 2021.

As per the forecast made by the study the virus will end in different nations on the following dates:

India-May 21&nbsp;

United States-last week&nbsp;of August (97 per cent&nbsp;around May 11)

Italy-last week&nbsp;of August&nbsp;(97 per cent&nbsp;around May 7)

Iran-May 10

Turkey-May 15

United Kingdom-May 9

Spain-beginnning of May

France-May 3

Germany-April 30

Canada-May 16

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

As Covid-19 cases cross three million across the globe, a Singapore-based university has predicted the end of the coronavirus pandemic in 131 countries with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).

As Covid-19 cases cross three million across the globe, a Singapore-based university has predicted the end of the coronavirus pandemic in 131 countries with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). The study, conducted by University of Technology and Design (SUTD), used data on the basis of the SIR (susceptible-infected-recovered) model to predict the key dates of transition during the coronavirus lifecycle across the globe. Also read: Has US been undercounting COVID-19 deaths? A new analysis suggests so The model took its data from Our World in Data and code from Milan Batista and applieed the SIR Model for Spread of Disease also known as the Differential Equation Model, to predict the end of Covid-19. The website also stated that the estimates were updated daily with the latest data and the analysis and predictions are only for educational and research purposes. Also read: 'Very serious investigations' against China over coronavirus, says Trump Through mathematical modeling, the university has predicted that the pandemic is likely to end 97 per cent in the world on May 21 and end 100 per cent on December 8, 2020. Although some countries, including Bahrain and Qatar, will see the last of its fresh cases in February 2021. As per the forecast made by the study the virus will end in different nations on the following dates: India-May 21 United States-last week of August (97 per cent around May 11) Italy-last week of August (97 per cent around May 7) Iran-May 10 Turkey-May 15 United Kingdom-May 9 Spain-beginnning of May France-May 3 Germany-April 30 Canada-May 16

When will coronavirus end in US, UK, France, India? Study predicts dates & month

A new restaurant in Sweden is taking social distancing to another level. The restaurant will be called Bord för En, or Table for One, will serve only one guest in the middle of a field, via a basket attached to a rope out of the kitchen window.&nbsp;

A Swedish couple Rasmus Persson and Linda Karlsson came up with the idea after having lunch with Karlsson's parents. The restaurant will be opening on May 10 and will be open till August 1.&nbsp;

Sweden is currently not under lockdown and the country has asked to practice social distancing rather than self-isolation.&nbsp;

The Swedish couple thought of such a restaurant after Persson, who is also a former chef, served lunch to his in-laws through a window to a nicely set table outside.

"We should make this available for everyone," Karlsson said they thought afterwards. "It will be the only COVID-19-safe restaurant in the world." Website for Bord för En the same night.&nbsp;

<img alt="n" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6deda90a-9189-4f34-a797-87c065dbe036" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%289%29_31.jpg" />

Karlsson has kept the hygiene in check and said that the restaurant will sanitize the table and wash the dishes twice.&nbsp; 
"We want to be able to concentrate on that sole guest when preparing the meal. But also, it is a way for us to be able to control that the guest's experience will be totally COVID-19-free," Karlsson said.&nbsp;

The menu will offer a three-course meal prepared by Persson and will include drinks by well-known bar owner Joel Söderbäck. The sample menu would include includes Råraka, a Swedish-style hash brown with seaweed caviar and wood-plucked sorrel, and Black &amp; Yellow, yellow carrot-ginger purée with browned hazelnut butter and sweet corn croquettes.

<img alt="m " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="11b7222d-87a6-461f-bada-ed650a71a245" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%288%29_28.jpg" />

"We are all are facing difficult times and there are people that have lost their jobs, loved ones, or even their mind. We welcome all, no matter what financial situation you are in," Karlsson said.

A new restaurant in Sweden is taking social distancing to another level. The restaurant will be called Bord för En, or Table for One, will serve only one guest in the middle of a field, via a basket attached to a rope out of the kitchen window.

A new restaurant in Sweden is taking social distancing to another level. The restaurant will be called Bord för En, or Table for One, will serve only one guest in the middle of a field, via a basket attached to a rope out of the kitchen window. A Swedish couple Rasmus Persson and Linda Karlsson came up with the idea after having lunch with Karlsson's parents. The restaurant will be opening on May 10 and will be open till August 1. Sweden is currently not under lockdown and the country has asked to practice social distancing rather than self-isolation. The Swedish couple thought of such a restaurant after Persson, who is also a former chef, served lunch to his in-laws through a window to a nicely set table outside. "We should make this available for everyone," Karlsson said they thought afterwards. "It will be the only COVID-19-safe restaurant in the world." Website for Bord för En the same night. Karlsson has kept the hygiene in check and said that the restaurant will sanitize the table and wash the dishes twice. "We want to be able to concentrate on that sole guest when preparing the meal. But also, it is a way for us to be able to control that the guest's experience will be totally COVID-19-free," Karlsson said. The menu will offer a three-course meal prepared by Persson and will include drinks by well-known bar owner Joel Söderbäck. The sample menu would include includes Råraka, a Swedish-style hash brown with seaweed caviar and wood-plucked sorrel, and Black & Yellow, yellow carrot-ginger purée with browned hazelnut butter and sweet corn croquettes. "We are all are facing difficult times and there are people that have lost their jobs, loved ones, or even their mind. We welcome all, no matter what financial situation you are in," Karlsson said.

Table for one! Swedish restaurant takes social distancing to another level

India has been on lockdown since March 25, after Prime Minister had declared war on coronavirus and due to the surge in cases, the lockdown had extended. But there has not been much of an improvement and the number of cases continues to soar up, which means the self-imposed lockdown is nowhere near to the end. Google searches done by the Indians shows how the citizens are coping with the lockdown.&nbsp;

Stress and therapy are the most searched amid the nation-wide lockdown. As per the survey conducted by Indian Psychiatric Society shows a 20 per cent rise in mental illness due to uncertainty of work and health.&nbsp;

According to the google trends data, these searches were the most in Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands, Mizoram and Puducherry. Search for therapy was low in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.&nbsp;

Searches for suicide were luckily low except on March 29 when German finance minister Thomas Schaefer committed suicide.

Second most searches on the trends were the jobs. Lockdown has elevated the unemployment rate in urban India. That has led to a rise in job searches.&nbsp;

Third in the trends are the recipes, the lockdown has given everyone plenty of time to stay at home and show off their cooking skills on social media. New recipes were the most searched in Goa, Daman &amp; Diu and Karnataka.&nbsp;

India has been on lockdown since March 25, after Prime Minister had declared war on coronavirus and due to the surge in cases, the lockdown had extended. But there has not been much of an improvement and the number of cases continues to soar up, which means the self-imposed lockdown is nowhere near to the end.

India has been on lockdown since March 25, after Prime Minister had declared war on coronavirus and due to the surge in cases, the lockdown had extended. But there has not been much of an improvement and the number of cases continues to soar up, which means the self-imposed lockdown is nowhere near to the end. Google searches done by the Indians shows how the citizens are coping with the lockdown. Stress and therapy are the most searched amid the nation-wide lockdown. As per the survey conducted by Indian Psychiatric Society shows a 20 per cent rise in mental illness due to uncertainty of work and health. According to the google trends data, these searches were the most in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Mizoram and Puducherry. Search for therapy was low in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Searches for suicide were luckily low except on March 29 when German finance minister Thomas Schaefer committed suicide. Second most searches on the trends were the jobs. Lockdown has elevated the unemployment rate in urban India. That has led to a rise in job searches. Third in the trends are the recipes, the lockdown has given everyone plenty of time to stay at home and show off their cooking skills on social media. New recipes were the most searched in Goa, Daman & Diu and Karnataka.

Stress, Job, Food! Google trends display how Indians cope with lockdown

The coronavirus pandemic has been spreading like a wildfire. As the number of confirmed cases near the three million mark and a death toll of soaring past 200,000, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added more symptoms to the list.

The coronavirus pandemic has been spreading like a wildfire. As the number of confirmed cases near the three million mark and a death toll of soaring past 200,000, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added more symptoms to the list. Also read: US state asks Trump to declare coronavirus an 'act of God' to help oil producers Coronavirus previously had three symptoms - fever, cough, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. But the CDC has confirmed six new symptoms of coronavirus bringing the total number to nine. So if anybody is experiencing any such symptoms, they should get tested for the novel coronavirus. These new symptoms are: Chills Repeated shaking with chills Muscle pain Headache Sore throat New loss of taste or smell According to John Hopkins University, the actual number of the coronavirus cases are believed to be much higher due to shortage in testing kits, unreported cases and government tally not being accurate. The United States has been the worst-hit nation in terms of the pandemic with over 54,000 deaths and 936,293 confirmed infections. If we look at the continents, coronavirus has most impacted Europe with 122,171 deaths. In Italy, Spain and France, the death toll rose to 26,384, 22,902, and 22,614 respectively. The United Kingdom has witnessed 20,319 COVID-19 deaths so far.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists 6 new symptoms of coronavirus

A coomon heartburn drug called famotidine is being studied as the possible cure for the coronavirus pandemic in New York hospitals.

According to Dr. Kevin Tracey, president of Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health, preliminary results of its&nbsp;clinical trial will come out in the next few weeks.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sewage-new-way-to-deduct-prevalence-of-covid-19-by-scientists-295127">Sewage: New way to deduct prevalence of COVID-19 by scientists</a>

Northwell Health&nbsp;runs 23 hospitals in the New York City area. 187 patients enrolled for the test&nbsp;in the hospital and took&nbsp;mega-doses intravenously.

However, Northwell hopes to eventually enroll 1,200 patients.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/curb-coronavirus-root-cause-or-bear-worse-pandemics-say-worlds-leading-scientists-295122">Curb coronavirus' root cause or bear worse pandemics, say world’s leading scientists</a>

Tracey and his colleagues got the idea to study famotidine after it was observed that some patients in China taking the drug fared better than patients not taking the drug.

"There are many examples in the history of medicine where a drug that was designed for one purpose turns out to have an effect in another disease," Tracey said.

He listed the advantages of the drug saying it is ''generic, plentiful and&nbsp;inexpensive."

However, he went ahead and said that he cannot say anything for certain before the test results arrive.

A coomon heartburn drug called famotidine is being studied as the possible cure for the coronavirus pandemic in New York hospitals. According to Dr. Kevin Tracey, president of Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health, preliminary results of its clinical trial will come out in the next few weeks.

A coomon heartburn drug called famotidine is being studied as the possible cure for the coronavirus pandemic in New York hospitals. According to Dr. Kevin Tracey, president of Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health, preliminary results of its clinical trial will come out in the next few weeks. Also read: Sewage: New way to deduct prevalence of COVID-19 by scientists Northwell Health runs 23 hospitals in the New York City area. 187 patients enrolled for the test in the hospital and took mega-doses intravenously. However, Northwell hopes to eventually enroll 1,200 patients. Also read: Curb coronavirus' root cause or bear worse pandemics, say world’s leading scientists Tracey and his colleagues got the idea to study famotidine after it was observed that some patients in China taking the drug fared better than patients not taking the drug. "There are many examples in the history of medicine where a drug that was designed for one purpose turns out to have an effect in another disease," Tracey said. He listed the advantages of the drug saying it is ''generic, plentiful and inexpensive." However, he went ahead and said that he cannot say anything for certain before the test results arrive.

Heartburn drug being studied as possible cure for coronavirus

Coronavirus pandemic spreads across prisons worldwide

Plans for the 2024 Summer&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;in Paris are "obsolete and outdated" in light of the coronavirus pandemic, IOC member and former French sports minister Guy Drut said Sunday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-wants-answers-after-banned-suns-olympic-training-call-up-294468" hreflang="en">WADA wants answers after banned Sun's 'Olympic training call-up'</a>

Former Olympic champion Drut, who won gold in the 110m hurdles in 1976 and took silver four years before, added in a column for franceinfo that the Olympic Games needed to be "reinvented" to put them more in touch with reality.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/china-signals-world-cup-ambitions-with-new-football-stadiums-294472" hreflang="en">China signals World Cup ambitions with new football stadiums</a>

"The crisis we're going through has a lasting impact on our daily lives, our way of life, our economy, our social pact, our choice of society," wrote Drut.

"It cannot and must not remain without effect on the imperative necessity which is to reinvent ourselves.

"The Olympic and Paralympic Games are no exception to this new context. They too must reinvent themselves."

The International Olympic Committee, jointly with local organisers, has been forced into delaying the 2020 Tokyo&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;by one year to 2021 because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

But Drut, an IOC member since 1996, argued that postponement of dates was just the tip of the iceberg.

"Can the response to this crisis be translated by simply postponing dates, without the Games model -- both economic and organisational -- also being deeply rethought?" asked the 69-year-old, who served as sports minister in France between 1995-7 under Jacques Chirac.

"The beautiful project that we built and carried in the bid phase for Paris 2024 is now obsolete, outdated, out of touch with reality.

"If the project is to remain unchanged, we must review its means and refocus on the essential. The first necessity is to make a budgetary reassessment of what Paris 2024&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;will cost.

"The Games of yesterday will not be the Games of tomorrow. We have to accept that and together imagine a new model.

"We have to rethink them to adapt them, to keep them relevant to the changing world. They will not be able to take place at any cost, disconnected from reality, on the 'margins' of the world."

In that context, Drut suggested hosting certain events on a single site "whatever the organising country", citing as an example Tahiti or Hawaii for surfing.

He also proposed limiting the number of additional sports.

"It is very expensive to build new equipment for an event that lasts only three, four days," Drut argued.

Plans for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are "obsolete and outdated" in light of the coronavirus pandemic, IOC member and former French sports minister Guy Drut said Sunday.

Plans for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are "obsolete and outdated" in light of the coronavirus pandemic, IOC member and former French sports minister Guy Drut said Sunday. Also read: WADA wants answers after banned Sun's 'Olympic training call-up' Former Olympic champion Drut, who won gold in the 110m hurdles in 1976 and took silver four years before, added in a column for franceinfo that the Olympic Games needed to be "reinvented" to put them more in touch with reality. Also read: China signals World Cup ambitions with new football stadiums "The crisis we're going through has a lasting impact on our daily lives, our way of life, our economy, our social pact, our choice of society," wrote Drut. "It cannot and must not remain without effect on the imperative necessity which is to reinvent ourselves. "The Olympic and Paralympic Games are no exception to this new context. They too must reinvent themselves." The International Olympic Committee, jointly with local organisers, has been forced into delaying the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by one year to 2021 because of the COVID-19 outbreak. But Drut, an IOC member since 1996, argued that postponement of dates was just the tip of the iceberg. "Can the response to this crisis be translated by simply postponing dates, without the Games model -- both economic and organisational -- also being deeply rethought?" asked the 69-year-old, who served as sports minister in France between 1995-7 under Jacques Chirac. "The beautiful project that we built and carried in the bid phase for Paris 2024 is now obsolete, outdated, out of touch with reality. "If the project is to remain unchanged, we must review its means and refocus on the essential. The first necessity is to make a budgetary reassessment of what Paris 2024 Olympics will cost. "The Games of yesterday will not be the Games of tomorrow. We have to accept that and together imagine a new model. "We have to rethink them to adapt them, to keep them relevant to the changing world. They will not be able to take place at any cost, disconnected from reality, on the 'margins' of the world." In that context, Drut suggested hosting certain events on a single site "whatever the organising country", citing as an example Tahiti or Hawaii for surfing. He also proposed limiting the number of additional sports. "It is very expensive to build new equipment for an event that lasts only three, four days," Drut argued.

Paris 2024 Olympics plans 'obsolete' - IOC member Drut

Chinese schools have been re-opened amid rising concerns of a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

While the entire world is contemplating an extension to the current global lockdown, students in Beijing and Shanghai&nbsp;have returned to their classrooms&nbsp;for the first time in nearly 3 months.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-wuhan-fears-of-second-coronavirus-wave-in-chinas-northeast-294018">After Wuhan, fears of second coronavirus wave in China's northeast</a>

The surprising decision has come at a time when leading virus experts have predicted that the fear of a second deadly wave of Covid-19 is&nbsp;looming upon China after a new epicenter has been located in the north-eastern city of Harbin.

However, authorities claim that the decision has been made after making stringent safety pre-cautions.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/can-china-curb-the-second-wave-of-coronavirus-pandemic-292430">Can China curb the second wave of coronavirus pandemic?</a>

Police cars patrolled the area near Beijing's Chenjinglun High School.

Disinfectant was sprayed around the school gates and the students arrived covered in face masks. Even before they could enter the school premises they had to get their temperatures checked and show a green health code on a special app that calculates infection risk.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/second-wave-of-covid-19-can-paralyse-china-warns-british-intelligence-292190">Second wave of COVID-19 can 'paralyse' China, warns British intelligence</a>

The students armed who came to school took some&nbsp;pre-cautionary measures as well.

According to Mandarin student Hang Hongcheng, he&nbsp;took some masks, some ethanol for disinfection, chopsticks, spoons and gloves.

And because he&nbsp;goes to school by public transport, he&nbsp;wore&nbsp;gloves to&nbsp;reduce the risk of public transmission.'

While, both middle and high schools were re-opened in&nbsp;Shanghai,&nbsp;only high-school seniors were allowed to return to campus in capital Beijing because they have to take&nbsp;university entrance exams called&nbsp;Gaokao.&nbsp;

Although these exams have been postponed till July but students are still under immense pressure to clear them.

And the virus has acted as an impediment in their path and has taken a toll on these young minds as it has wasted their precious time.

The original epicenter of the virus, Wuhan&nbsp;will also re-open its schools from the first week of May.

However, this by no means indicates that&nbsp;all is well in China. The reality is far from it.

Just as authorities got a hold of the old hotspots and&nbsp;managed to keep a check on the coronavirus cases in these areas, new hotspots have emerged in the country.

Harbin, a&nbsp;city located in north-east China has been identified as the new epicentre.

It is the capital of the Heilongjiang province which is&nbsp;home to over 10 million people.

While the province has reported over 500 confirmed cases, Harbin city alone has recorded over 50 confirmed cases.

It has been put under a lockdown with inbound traffic completely cut off.

Interestingly, three of the seven of the&nbsp;new confirmed cases were infected by travellers from Russia.

Harbin&nbsp;has airlinks with Russia and local authorities are scrambling to clamp down on the cross-border return of the virus.

All those arriving from abroad have been have been ordered a mandatory 28-day quarantine and they have to go through two&nbsp;nucleic acid tests and an anti-body test.

Chinese schools have been re-opened amid rising concerns of a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. While the entire world is contemplating an extension to the current global lockdown, students in Beijing and Shanghai have returned to their classrooms for the first time in nearly 3 months.

Chinese schools have been re-opened amid rising concerns of a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. While the entire world is contemplating an extension to the current global lockdown, students in Beijing and Shanghai have returned to their classrooms for the first time in nearly 3 months. Also read: After Wuhan, fears of second coronavirus wave in China's northeast The surprising decision has come at a time when leading virus experts have predicted that the fear of a second deadly wave of Covid-19 is looming upon China after a new epicenter has been located in the north-eastern city of Harbin. However, authorities claim that the decision has been made after making stringent safety pre-cautions. Also read: Can China curb the second wave of coronavirus pandemic? Police cars patrolled the area near Beijing's Chenjinglun High School. Disinfectant was sprayed around the school gates and the students arrived covered in face masks. Even before they could enter the school premises they had to get their temperatures checked and show a green health code on a special app that calculates infection risk. Also read: Second wave of COVID-19 can 'paralyse' China, warns British intelligence The students armed who came to school took some pre-cautionary measures as well. According to Mandarin student Hang Hongcheng, he took some masks, some ethanol for disinfection, chopsticks, spoons and gloves. And because he goes to school by public transport, he wore gloves to reduce the risk of public transmission.' While, both middle and high schools were re-opened in Shanghai, only high-school seniors were allowed to return to campus in capital Beijing because they have to take university entrance exams called Gaokao. Although these exams have been postponed till July but students are still under immense pressure to clear them. And the virus has acted as an impediment in their path and has taken a toll on these young minds as it has wasted their precious time. The original epicenter of the virus, Wuhan will also re-open its schools from the first week of May. However, this by no means indicates that all is well in China. The reality is far from it. Just as authorities got a hold of the old hotspots and managed to keep a check on the coronavirus cases in these areas, new hotspots have emerged in the country. Harbin, a city located in north-east China has been identified as the new epicentre. It is the capital of the Heilongjiang province which is home to over 10 million people. While the province has reported over 500 confirmed cases, Harbin city alone has recorded over 50 confirmed cases. It has been put under a lockdown with inbound traffic completely cut off. Interestingly, three of the seven of the new confirmed cases were infected by travellers from Russia. Harbin has airlinks with Russia and local authorities are scrambling to clamp down on the cross-border return of the virus. All those arriving from abroad have been have been ordered a mandatory 28-day quarantine and they have to go through two nucleic acid tests and an anti-body test.

China reopens schools despite fear of second wave of coronavirus

Sri Lankan opposition parties on Monday urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to reconvene&nbsp;the dissolved parliament while pledging cooperation to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a joint statement signed by Party Leaders of the Opposition, including United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R. Sampanthan, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader Rauff Hakeem and Leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Rishad Bathiudeen noted that against the backdrop of a public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the steps taken by Governments to control it, a range of new challenges have emerged in Sri Lanka as well.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sewage-new-way-to-deduct-prevalence-of-covid-19-by-scientists-295127">Sewage: New way to deduct prevalence of Covid-19 by scientists</a>

"Getting appropriate and new legislation passed in order to meet the public health crisis and obtaining parliamentary sanction to the utilization of monies from the consolidated fund are some such important and urgent functions of parliament," the statement asserted.

It urged the president to use&nbsp;his discretionary powers under Article 70 (7) of the Constitution in order to tackle the challenges faced by the counrty due to coronavirus and ''respond positively to this offer of responsible cooperation by us at this critical time and revoke the proclamation dated 2 March 2020 dissolving parliament so that all of us can jointly fight to eradicate this virus."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/curb-coronavirus-root-cause-or-bear-worse-pandemics-say-worlds-leading-scientists-295122" hreflang="en">Curb coronavirus' root cause or bear worse pandemics, say top scientists</a>

President Rajapaksa on March 2 dissolved the Parliament, six months ahead of schedule, and called a snap election on April 25 to elect a new 225-member house.

The joint statement&nbsp;also noted that if further spreading of the pandemic is not decisively halted in the coming few weeks, the country will face the risk of the prevailing public health crisis being compounded by crisis situations in the economic, social, and political spheres too.

The statement followed Rajapaksa's assertion made at a meeting with the powerful Buddhist clergy on April 25 where the president told the monks that he would not at any cost recall the dissolved parliament.

However, the election commission last week postponed the parliamentary elections by nearly two months to June 20 due to the coronavirus outbreak in the island nation.

The new date clashed with the constitutional imperative that the new parliament has to meet within three months since its dissolution, that is,&nbsp;June 2.

The opposition argues that Rajapaksa has no power to draw public finances after April 30, the date up to which the dismissed parliament had approved expenditure. Therefore, the action to recall parliament would allow the governance proper and lawful in compliance with the constitution.

&nbsp;

Sri Lankan opposition parties on Monday urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to reconvene the dissolved parliament while pledging cooperation to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sri Lankan opposition parties on Monday urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to reconvene the dissolved parliament while pledging cooperation to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. In a joint statement signed by Party Leaders of the Opposition, including United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R. Sampanthan, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader Rauff Hakeem and Leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Rishad Bathiudeen noted that against the backdrop of a public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the steps taken by Governments to control it, a range of new challenges have emerged in Sri Lanka as well. Sewage: New way to deduct prevalence of Covid-19 by scientists "Getting appropriate and new legislation passed in order to meet the public health crisis and obtaining parliamentary sanction to the utilization of monies from the consolidated fund are some such important and urgent functions of parliament," the statement asserted. It urged the president to use his discretionary powers under Article 70 (7) of the Constitution in order to tackle the challenges faced by the counrty due to coronavirus and ''respond positively to this offer of responsible cooperation by us at this critical time and revoke the proclamation dated 2 March 2020 dissolving parliament so that all of us can jointly fight to eradicate this virus." Also read: Curb coronavirus' root cause or bear worse pandemics, say top scientists President Rajapaksa on March 2 dissolved the Parliament, six months ahead of schedule, and called a snap election on April 25 to elect a new 225-member house. The joint statement also noted that if further spreading of the pandemic is not decisively halted in the coming few weeks, the country will face the risk of the prevailing public health crisis being compounded by crisis situations in the economic, social, and political spheres too. The statement followed Rajapaksa's assertion made at a meeting with the powerful Buddhist clergy on April 25 where the president told the monks that he would not at any cost recall the dissolved parliament. However, the election commission last week postponed the parliamentary elections by nearly two months to June 20 due to the coronavirus outbreak in the island nation. The new date clashed with the constitutional imperative that the new parliament has to meet within three months since its dissolution, that is, June 2. The opposition argues that Rajapaksa has no power to draw public finances after April 30, the date up to which the dismissed parliament had approved expenditure. Therefore, the action to recall parliament would allow the governance proper and lawful in compliance with the constitution.

Sri Lankan opposition leaders request Rajapaksa to reconvene dissolved parliament

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Wionintern

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.