With a watchful eye on the latest virus outbreaks, Spain will pause to honour its 28,400 victims at a state ceremony joined by top EU and World Health Organisation figures, AFP reported.

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.