****************************************************
Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs Carrie Yau, toured the Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok today (July 9) to inspect the hospitality and security arrangements in the Airport for the equestrian events to be staged in Hong Kong.
Mrs Yau, accompanied by officials of the Home Affairs Bureau and the Equestrian Company, visited the Integrated Airport Centre and Airport Emergency Centre, where she was briefed by the Hong Kong Airport Authority representative on the operation of the centres.
The party then toured the Apron Passenger Vehicle Lounge and was briefed by Immigration Department officials on immigration arrangements.
"With the close rapport developed between the airport community and the Equestrian Company, reinforced by a series of drills over the past few months, HKSARG could ensure the Olympic athletes and their horses, IOC members, overseas spectators and visitors can arrive safely and comfortably", said Mrs Yau.
She said that the Airport was fully geared up to receiving thousands of athletes and officials of participating Olympic and Paralympic Games teams this summer with hospitality desks set up and contingency plans mapped out and tested.
She was briefed by representatives of the Equestrian Company on the services and facilities including quarantine and immigration and customs clearance for import of horses. She also inspected the horse loading areas and learnt of the operations for receiving horses commencing July 26.
Mrs Yau said, "Whilst we are impressed by the detailed planning on the hospitality arrangements of the highest possible standard , and the sensitive handling arrangements for the horses, there is no room for complacency."
"Inter-agency exercises and drills will continue to be held to ensure swift action will be taken under different scenarios and trying circumstances," she said.
Mrs Yau also met the assistants at the hospitality desks who acted as Hong Kong's ambassadors to look after arriving guests at the Airport. The Olympic Fun Area in Passenger Terminal 2 was also a hospitality facility to boost the Olympic festive atmosphere for arriving passengers.
"With less than one month to go before the Olympic equestrian events, we will conduct regular inspections on different aspects of our preparatory work including transport, security, crowd control, quarantine and volunteer training to ensure that each and every aspect is geared up and ready for the Games," Mrs Yau said after the visit.
Ends/Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:34
NNNN
