With President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration days away, Washington, D.C., is preparing for the event in a manner like never before. The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent Capitol riot have changed how the presidential inauguration will be carried out. 

On Wednesday, January 20th, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn in shortly before noon by Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor. Biden will be sworn in at noon by Chief Justice John Roberts at the U.S. Capitol.

About 1,000 guests are expected to attend, mainly members of Congress and their guests.

After Biden is sworn in, he will deliver his inaugural address, previewing his plans for the country over the next four years. 
Biden's inaugural team says the address will discuss the administration's goals to "defeat the pandemic, build back better, and unify and heal the nation."

Biden will then take part in a "Pass in Review," a ceremonial military tradition marking the peaceful transition of power to a new Commander-in-Chief.

Then Biden, his wife, Harris and her husband will be joined by former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and their spouses, to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Afterwards, the new president will receive a military escort to the White House before the evening’' events begin. 

Compared to previous years, the 2021 inauguration will look vastly different. 

Typically the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies would offer 200,000 tickets for the public, in addition to tickets Congress members can share with others. 

However, with barricades, fences, security checkpoints and up to 25,000 National Guard troops, the streets will look significantly emptier throughout this week. 

Areas surrounding the White House and Capitol building are closed to the public. There will also be no parade or inaugural balls. 

Instead, events will be virtual, including a program called "Celebrating America," with musical performances and remarks from Biden and Harris.

President Donald Trump will also be notably absent from the inauguration. It's tradition for the former and new presidents to sit together, symbolizing a peaceful transition. But in one of his final tweets before being permanently banned from Twitter, Trump said he would not attend Biden's inauguration.

Trump instead will have a departure ceremony Wednesday morning at Maryland's Joint Base Andrews before leaving for Florida on Air Force One.
Vice President Mike Pence, however, will be attending the inauguration. 

Also for the first time in history, the National Mall will be closed to the public. In efforts to boost the city's security after the Capitol riot and calls for more violence by Trump supporters, law enforcement and the military have essentially locked down downtown D.C.

Instead of thousands of tourists and D.C. residents filling the streets, celebrations and people selling merchandise, local government officials are urging residents to stay home and visitors to stay away.

"Due to the unique circumstances surrounding the 59th Presidential Inauguration, including last week's violent insurrection, as well as the ongoing and deadly COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking the extraordinary step of encouraging Americans not to come to Washington, D.C.," said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in a joint statement with the governors of Maryland and Virginia.

Some bridges into the city are closed, as well as several streets and Metro stations, blocking access to downtown. 

Washington, D.C., will remain in a state of public emergency through January 21st, in light of the continued threat to the city, according to Mayor Bowser.    

Law enforcement officials have warned of online chatter discussing more possible violence at the Capitol timed to the inauguration.

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