In this file photo taken on Feb 4, 2020, medical workers transfer patients to the newly built Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei province, at about 9 am on Feb 4. (XIAN GAN / PEOPLE'S DAILY/ PROVIDED TO CHINADAILY.COM.CN)

A national mourning will be held on Saturday, this year’s Tomb Sweeping Day, to commemorate those who succumbed to the novel coronavirus, according to the State Council, China’s cabinet.

Starting 10 am Saturday, people across the country will observe three minutes of silence

To express profound condolences to martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the battle against the epidemic and compatriots who died of the pathogen, national flags will be lowered to half-mast across the country and in Chinese embassies abroad on the day, and public recreational activities will be suspended nationwide, the State Council said.

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Starting 10 am Saturday, people across the country will observe three minutes of silence. Sirens of automobiles, trains and ships will be blared. An air defense warning will also go off.

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