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Outbound Travel Alert system begins on October 20
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     The Security Bureau today (September 30) announced that the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) System would come into effect from October 20. The system aims to help people better understand the risk to personal safety in travelling overseas.  

     "The system, which uses amber, red and black to differentiate between the three levels of risk, will cover 60 countries or territories which are popular travel destinations for Hong Kong residents," a spokesman for the bureau said.

     "Where there are signs of threat in a certain place that may affect the personal safety of Hong Kong travellers, an amber alert will be issued to remind Hong Kong travellers to monitor the situation and exercise caution in the area concerned."  

     "A red alert signifies significant threat and Hong Kong travellers should adjust travel plans and avoid non-essential travel to that region."

     "Where there is severe threat, a black alert will be issued to urge Hong Kong travellers to avoid all travel to the relevant area," the spokesman said.

     "In assessing the need to issue an OTA, the Government will take into account a number of factors, including the level of threat to personal safety, duration of the threat and whether the threat is targeted at tourists.  The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will also liaise with the relevant Mainland authorities to obtain the latest situation overseas through the Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions there, and to make reference to any travel alert issued by the Mainland on the place concerned," he said.

     The Security Bureau will publicise relevant OTA message through press releases. People will also soon be able to visit a dedicated OTA webpage to check OTAs in force.  

     The 60 places covered by the OTA System are listed at Annex.  To check the travel risk regarding other places, the public may refer to the databases compiled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the National Tourism Administration, and those by other foreign authorities like the Australian, British and Canadian governments.  The OTA webpage will have hyperlinks to these websites.

     "Travelling remains a personal decision, but the Government encourages Hong Kong people to take heed of the OTA when firming up their travel plans."

     "Travellers should find out from their travel agents and airlines the arrangements on their outbound trips to destinations flagged with an OTA.  They are also advised to take appropriate travel insurance with terms and conditions of compensation that suit their personal needs.  The representative bodies of airlines, travel agents and insurance companies were briefed and they support the launching of the OTA system," the spokesman added.

     Hong Kong residents who need assistance while outside Hong Kong may call the hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department at (852) 1868.


Ends/Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:55

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