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More than 9 million people will travel in and out of Hong Kong through land, sea and air control points during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festive period, an increase of 9.1% over last year's holiday period.
The Immigration Department said about 6.5 million people would pass through the land boundary control points, an increase of 7.5% over the same period last year.
The peak period of cross-boundary traffic will be between December 21 and January 2 when about 3.8 million passengers - an average of 289,000 daily - will pass through Lo Wu control point. This represents 58% of the total estimated cross-boundary passenger traffic and an increase of 0.1% over the corresponding period last year. The number of departing passengers at Lo Wu control point is expected to reach a peak of 238,000 on December 24, while the peak for arrivals will be on December 26, with 200,000 people returning to Hong Kong. The highest daily traffic is expected to reach 363,000 on December 24.
The department said passenger traffic at Lok Ma Chau control point would also be heavy with a forecast of about 1.6 million passengers, a daily average of 122,000. The peak for departures is expected to be on December 24, with about 82,000 people leaving for the Mainland. The number of arriving passengers is expected to reach a peak of 93,000 on December 26.
The two new control points - Shenzhen Bay and Lok Ma Chau Spur Line control points - enhance the connection between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, giving cross-boundary passengers more choices.
The Shenzhen Bay control point is open 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 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 MTR Corporation 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 345 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.
In view of the limited handling capacity of Lo Wu control point and Lok Ma Chau control point, the Immigration Department suggests cross-boundary passengers use 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 December 21 and January 2 on its website, www.immd.gov.hk, for public reference.
The department reminded people to bring their identity cards and valid travel documents required for travel to the Mainland or Macau. Hong Kong residents 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/Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Issued at HKT 11:00
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