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More than 9.8 million people will travel in and out of Hong Kong through land, sea and air control points during the upcoming Mid-Autumn and National Day Golden Week Festive Period, an increase of 16.6% over last year's holiday period.
The Immigration Department said about 7.6 million people would pass through the land boundary control points, an increase of 18.6% over the same period last year.
The peak period of cross-boundary traffic will fall between September 24 and October 8 when about 4.14 million passengers - an average of 276,000 daily - will pass through Lo Wu control point. This represents 55% of the total estimated cross-boundary passenger traffic and an increase of 3.7% over the corresponding period last year. The number of departing passengers at Lo Wu control point is expected to reach a peak of 200,000 on September 29, while the peak for arrivals will be on October 1, with 213,000 people returning to Hong Kong. The highest daily traffic is expected to reach 350,000 on September 29.
The department said passenger traffic at Lok Ma Chau control point would also be heavy with a forecast of about 2.1 million passengers, a daily average of 141,000 and an increase of 4.8% over the same period last year. The peak of departures is expected to be on September 29 and October 7, with about 88,000 people departing for the Mainland. The number of arriving passengers is expected to reach a peak of 108,000 on October 1.
The commissioning of two new Control Points- Shenzhen Bay since July 1 and Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point since August 15 - enhance the connection between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, giving cross-boundary passengers more choices.
The Shenzhen Bay Control Point runs for 17.5 hours a day, from 6.30am to midnight. To allow sufficient time for the clearance of passengers and vehicles before the closure of the mainland-bound traffic at 11.30pm every night, cross-boundary drivers and passengers should allow sufficient travelling time when planning their journeys.
Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point operates 16 hours a day from 6.30am to 10.30pm to facilitate passengers for interchange with the last train of the Shenzhen metro line 4 at 11pm.
To cope with the anticipated traffic, the Immigration Department has suspended leave for staff working at control points and has arranged for extra officers to be posted at the airport, sea and land boundary checkpoints during the holiday period through internal deployment. Additional security guards will be deployed at Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau control points to provide crowd management support.
The Immigration Department and the Shenzhen authorities will also strengthen their co-operation and liaison to ensure smooth and orderly passenger traffic across the boundary. If necessary, Lo Wu control point will implement the Contra-Flow Scheme to relieve congestion.
In addition, the Immigration Department, the Police, the Customs and Excise Department, the Transport Department, the KCRC and the Shenzhen authorities will set up a Joint Command Centre at Lo Wu control point. All parties concerned have drawn up contingency measures to handle any incidents and will oversee traffic conditions.
There are 340 e-channels operating at various control points. The following categories of residents can also enjoy self-service immigration clearance through e-channels - smart identity card holders who are Hong Kong permanent residents aged 11 or above, holders of Documents of Identity for Visa Purposes, people using valid smart identity cards who have the right to land or have unconditional stay in Hong Kong, and non-permanent residents who have been issued with a notification label.
Passengers whose fingers are too dry, wet or unclean could encounter difficulties with fingerprint verification. To avoid delay, they should moisten, wipe or clean their fingers before entering the e-channels.
Tour operators have been requested to avoid using shuttle buses to convey tour groups via Lok Ma Chau from September 28 to October 3. They are also advised to use separate coaches for conveying group members and transit passengers to expedite passenger flow. The operators have also been reminded to provide forecasts of group tours in advance and are urged to observe the relevant requirements in furnishing group lists.
In view of the limited handling capacity of Lok Ma Chau control point, the Immigration Department suggests cross-boundary passengers use Lo Wu control point and the new Shenzhen Bay Control Point and Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point to avoid congestion.
The Immigration Department will upload daily arrival statistics between September 24 and October 8 on its website, www.immd.gov.hk, for public reference.
The department reminded people to bring along their identity cards and valid travel documents required for travel to the Mainland or Macau. For Hong Kong residents' attention, they should check the validity of their Home Visit Permits, in particular those under the age of 18 whose Home Visit Permits are valid for three years from the date of issue. Hong Kong residents holding Document of Identity for Visa Purposes and other non-permanent residents must also bring along with them their valid smart identity cards and Document of Identity for Visa Purposes or valid travel documents.
Those in the process of having their identity cards replaced and holding an acknowledgment receipt should bring along a valid travel document. Children under 11 years old who hold Hong Kong identity cards should carry a valid travel document or Re-entry Permit.
Passengers bound for the Mainland should be careful with their personal belongings and avoid carrying over-sized luggage.
Hong Kong residents who travel outside Hong Kong and need assistance may call the Hong Kong Immigration Department's 24-hour hotline, (852) 1868.
Ends/Sunday, September 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 11:01
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