The lockdown placed on the US Capitol complex was lifted, Reuters reported. 
The complex was put on lockdown earlier, with no entry or exit allowed, due to an external security threat and people inside being forced to shelter in place, according to a Reuters witness.
According to the Associated Press, participants in an inauguration rehearsal on West Front of Capitol were evacuated into the building by security officials.
According to a CNN correspondent over Twitter, "an alert... went off in the Capitol urging people to stay inside and to not leave due to an external security threat. It urged people to stay away from windows and doors." According to NBC, all those outside on the complex have been instructed to "seek cover."

The lockdown comes just days ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration and follows the January 6 attack on the US Capitol in Washington by extremists and Trump supporters, some of whom called for the death of Vice President Mike Pence as he presided over the certification of Biden's election victory.