Spain to mourn pandemic victims for 10 days

The Spanish government is expected to announce Tuesday, 10 days of national mourning in memory of the COVID-19 victims.

Spanish flags in Madrid's Cibeles Square were already hanging at half staff in a sign of respect.

A huge black ribbon has been hung from the monumental archway Puerta del Alcala.

A new monument in memory of the victims has been recently unveiled.

The eternal flame has a plaque that reads "Your flame will never fade from our hearts."

Over 26.000 people have died in Spain so far from the coronavirus outbreak.

The number is lower than a previous tally after the health officials said they were correcting data that included some 2,000 unconfirmed fatalities.

There are also more than 230,000 confirmed infections.

Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya on Tuesday urged for a common European Union approach to open borders as countries phase out lockdowns at different dates.