Heavy security grips U.S. capital for inauguration day

A police car patrols on the street in front of the Capitol  building in Washington Jan. 18, 2009. U.S. authorities are  tightening up security in the capital city ahead of the  Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.  (Xinua/Zhang Yan)

Check points will open at 8 a.m. for the 240,000 lucky ticket holders, who will have to go through the toughest security procedures before entering into areas right in front of the Capitol to actually watch the president in person taking the oath of office and delivering the inaugural address.

Those without tickets, who make the bulk of the 2 million visitors, are also subject to successive security screenings before walking in designated reviewing areas and joining parades, balls and other festive celebrations.

Besides prohibited items such as "weapons of any kind," aerosols, backpacks, oversized bags and bicycles are also banned as part of security precaution. Signs and placards can be carried in, but they must be made of cardboard, poster board or cloth and no larger than three feet (about one meter) in width and 20 feet (about six meters) in length.

The authorities have warned that they will confiscate any prohibited items without returning them.