Spain declares 10-day official mourning for coronavirus victims

People wearing protective face masks stand during a daily minute of silence to commemorate victims of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Puerta del Sol square in Madrid, Spain, May 26, 2020. REUTERS/Sergio Perez

MADRID (Reuters) - The Spanish government declared a 10-day official mourning period from Wednesday to honour the nearly 30,000 people who died from the coronavirus pandemic in one of the world's worst-hit countries, government spokeswoman Maria Jesus Montero said.

During the mourning period, flags will fly at half-mast all over the country's public buildings and navy ships, she told a news briefing after a cabinet meeting.