US President-elect Joe Biden signalled a new tone for the US government by leading a powerful tribute to the 400,000 Americans lost to Covid-19 as he arrived in Washington on the eve of his inauguration.

“It's hard sometimes to remember, but that's how we heal. It's important to do that as a nation,” Biden said in somber remarks at the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial, according to AFP.

The US on Tuesday recorded another 2,482 deaths due to the virus, according to Johns Hopkins University's tally.

Inauguration eve is normally a time of massive crowds gathering in the capital, but Biden, joined by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, were almost alone on the empty National Mall due to Covid restrictions and heightened security after the deadly riot at the US Capitol.

On the Mall's grassy expanse, some 200,000 flags have been planted to represent the absent crowds at the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday.