In the UK, NHS staff and key workers who have died during the nation’s struggle against coronavirus should be given their own memorial marking their sacrifice, the Liberal Democrat leader has said. Speaking on the eve of Remembrance Sunday, Sir Ed Davey said he wanted to see a memorial built near parliament to those who have perished while helping in the battle against the pandemic. The Cenotaph in Whitehall was built to mark the end of the first world war and is now the scene of annual commemorations to pay tribute to those who have died while serving in the armed forces to protect the UK. The former cabinet minister said, as well as a national war memorial, there should also be a place in the capital to “remember these brave heroes” who died either caring for people or while helping keep society going during Covid. Almost 50,000 people have died in the UK after being diagnosed with coronavirus, according to official figures. There’s a bit of news around today, including that the US has finally finished its Tuesday, several days later. President-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris have just arrived in Wilmington, Delaware, to deliver a victory speech. My colleagues in the US are covering it over in the US election live blog here: Papua New Guinea has reported a second case in New Ireland province. A 58-year-old man who who is employed Newcrest Mining Limited in Lihir had traveled from Buka in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, and 11 contacts have been identified authorities said. PNG authorities said the country has recored 599 cases of Covid-19 in total, and 585 have recovered. However testing has been minimal - about 29,500 in a total population of 8.6 million - and the infection rate is expected to be much higher than 599, with cases reported in 15 of the 20 provinces. Hello, this is Helen Davidson here to take you through the next few hours. A quick check in on the Australian state of New South Wales, where authorities reported zero new local cases in the last 24 hours but are still investigating an emerging cluster in the Southern Highlands region, south of Sydney. “The source of the [five] recent cases in Moss Vale remains under investigation,” the health department said. “Due to these and other recent cases, in line with previous advice the call for testing continues to apply particularly to people in South Western Sydney, including in and around the communities of Leppington, Hoxton Park and Prestons; and to people in the Southern Highlands region, including the communities in and around Moss Vale, Mittagong and Bowral. Extra testing capacity has been made available in these regions.” Three people in hotel quarantine were diagnosed with Covid-19 in the 24 hours to Saturday night. There are 63 people being treated for Covid-19 in the state, but 95% are non-acute cases. One person is in intensive care but does not need ventilation. Hello, my time covering this blog has come to an end. I’ll now hand over to my colleague Helen Davidson for further updates. A summary of tonight’s main events: The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, has announced the further easing of Covid restrictions over regional parts of the state. After Victoria recorded no new coronavirus cases for the ninth consecutive day on Sunday, he said that from 11.59pm both the 25 kilometre travel rule and “ring of steel” border separating regional and metropolitan Victoria will be removed. In France, the total number of deaths from coronavirus has exceeded 40,000 for the first time, the health ministry announced. New deaths from the virus reached 40,169, of which 27,660 have been in hospitals, including 306 in the last 24 hours. India reported 50,356 new Covid-19 infections in the past day, as cases in New Delhi surpassed 7,000 on Saturday. Hospitals in Greater Manchester have suspended non-urgent appointments and surgery following a surge in the number of Covid patients being treated. Operations and appointments for urgent conditions, such as cancer, will continue, but it has been reported that other bookings will be paused from Monday. A further 413 people with coronavirus have died across the UK in the last 24 hours, up from 355 the previous day, government figures show. It brings the overall UK death toll to 48,888. Andrews has outlined some further steps to ease restrictions which are planned for 22 November: Private gatherings will be able to have up to 10 people at homes, and 50 people in public. Hospitality venues will be able to hold up to 1000 people as long as they meet density requirements of one person per four square metres. Sporting venues will be able to hold up to 25% of their capacity. Groups of up to 10 people can share accommodation. Religious services will be able to hold 100 people indoors and 500 outdoors. Funerals and weddings will be able to have up to 100 people, but if it is held at a private residence the limit remains 10. Melbourne "ring of steel" removed in Australia as Victoria reunites The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, has announced the further lifting of Covid-19 restrictions in the state. After Victoria recorded no new cases of the virus for the ninth day in a row on Sunday, Andrews announced that from 11.59pm tonight both the 25 kilometre travel rule in Melbourne and the “ring of steel” border separating the city from regional Victoria will be removed. “Families will be able to be together again,” he said. Andrews also announced the loosening of a number of restrictions including: Hospitality venue limits will increase to 40 people inside and 70 outside. Churches, other faith venues and funerals will be able to have 50 people outdoors and 20 inside. Gyms, cinemas and other recreational venues will be able to have 20 people per venue or “space”. He said the state’s mask mandate will remain in place for the time being. “A time will come where we can again have some changes to that but that is not for today and I will not speculate when that will be,” he said. He also said the Victorian state of emergency will be extended to 6 December but the state of disaster will not be renewed. Care home residents in England face a postcode lottery over visiting because ministers have abdicated responsibility to local officials, my colleague James Tapper reports. Queen wears mask in public for first time The Queen has worn a face mask in public for the first time as she made a poignant pilgrimage to the grave of the Unknown Warrior to mark the centenary of his burial on Wednesday, PA Media reports. Following government regulations, the head of state adopted the covering when she visited the place of worship for a brief ceremony - her first public engagement in London since March. A royal aide described the service as “deeply personal” for the monarch, who was married at the Abbey in November 1947, and in tribute to the symbolic serviceman she left flowers, based on her wedding bouquet, at his final resting place. Members of the royal family from the Prince of Wales to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have appeared at official events wearing face coverings for the past few months, and the Queen has now followed suit. The recently locked down Australian state of Victoria has recorded another day of zero cases and deaths. The state’s 14-day average is now 0.4, and there are two cases with an unknown source that Victoria Health is aware of.