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An estimated 8.95 million passengers will pass through land, sea and air control points during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday period. This is an increase of about 10% over the corresponding holiday period last year.
Between February 11 and 22, about 3.16 million passengers - an average of about 263,000 daily - will pass through Lo Wu control point. For inbound traffic, the busiest day at Lo Wu control point is expected to be February 16 when about 191,000 passengers will arrive. Outbound traffic will be heavy on February 12, with about 183,000 people leaving Hong Kong.
During the same period, passenger traffic at Lok Ma Chau control point will also be heavy with a forecast of about 1.33 million passengers - a daily average of about 111,000. The busiest day at Lok Ma Chau Control Point will be February 16 when both arrival and departure traffic will be very heavy.
To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic, the Immigration Department has minimised leave for staff working at control points and has arranged for extra officers to be posted at different checkpoints during the holiday period. Additional security guards will be deployed at some busy control points to provide crowd management support.
For closer co-operation and co-ordination during these periods, the Immigration Department, police, Customs and Excise Department and the MTR Corporation will set up a joint command centre at Lo Wu control point. All parties concerned will oversee traffic conditions and have drawn up contingency measures to handle any untoward incidents.
To avoid congestion during the peak periods at various boundary control points in the morning and evening, the Immigration Department suggests that cross-boundary passengers travel to and from the Mainland during the less busy times. In addition, information on the public transport services to and from various control points is available on the Transport Department website (www.td.gov.hk).
The Immigration Department will upload daily passenger statistics between February 11 and 22 on its website (www.immd.gov.hk) for public reference.
The department reminds people to take with them their identity cards and valid travel documents for travel to the Mainland. 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 take 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 acknowledgement receipt, or Children under 11 years old who hold Hong Kong identity cards, should carry a valid travel document or Re-entry Permit.
There are 371 e-Channels installed at the various control points. Passengers whose fingers are too dry, wet or unclean may encounter difficulties with fingerprint verification. To avoid delay, they should moisten, wipe or clean their fingers before using the e-Channels.
Passengers should be careful with their personal belongings and avoid carrying oversized luggage.
Hong Kong residents who require assistance while travelling outside Hong Kong may call the Hong Kong Immigration Department's 24-hour hotline at (852) 1868.
Ends/Sunday, February 7, 2010
Issued at HKT 10:01
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