To prevent spread of coronavirus, memorial service will be a small gathering of victims’ loved ones

The memorial service in lower Manhattan marking the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks is expected to be a small, more intimate gathering of the victims closest family members and friends because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
On past anniversaries, loved ones of the nearly 3,000 victims, as well as elected officials, have gathered at the site of the attacks to read aloud the names of the dead and hold moments of silence to mark when hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers and the buildings fell. The service also marks when a hijacked plane struck the Pentagon and when another crashed near Shanksville, Pa.
But during Fridays service, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum will play over speakers a recorded broadcast of the victims names read by family members, the organizers said. The recording is from the museums memorial exhibition.
The in-person service will be limited to family members of victims to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the organizers said. Those attending will have to wear masks and sit based on social-distancing guidelines.
Family members who do attend the service can stand next to their loved ones name on the memorials walls as the broadcast plays, according to the organizers. The moments of silence will still be observed.