With a watchful eye on the latest virus outbreaks, Spain pauses Thursday to honor its 28,400 victims at a state ceremony joined by top EU and World Health Organization figures.
Barely three weeks after coming out of lockdown, Spain has seen a surge in cases and health officials monitoring more than 120 active outbreaks.
The most worrying is in and around the northeastern city of Lerida, where the Catalan regional government has issued a stay-home order affecting 160,000 people.
Authorities there and in several other regions have stepped up precautions, with mask-wearing compulsory in public at all times, even if the safety distance can be respected.
Among those attending will be EU Council head Charles Michel, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament leader David Sassoli and top EU diplomat Josep Borrell.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will also attend out of respect for “the great number of people who lost their lives to COVID-19 in Spain and the world,” and to stress the UN health body’s support for those fighting the virus, a spokeswoman said.
During the memorial, an orchestra will play Spain’s national anthem along with Brahms’ “Sacred Song” and people affected by the pandemic will also speak.