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Cross-boundary passenger traffic arrangements for Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays
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     During the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays (the nine-day period from September 29 to October 7, with Mainland holidays from September 30 to October 7), an estimated 7.60 million passengers will pass through land, sea and air control points. The figure represents a 20 per cent increase when compared with the corresponding period last year.  

     Amongst these passengers, 77 per cent, or around 5.88 million passengers, will pass through the land boundary control points. The number of outbound passengers will reach its peak on September 29 (Saturday) with around 382 000 passengers departing Hong Kong, while the inbound passenger traffic will be at its heaviest on October 2 (Tuesday) with around 438 000 passengers returning to Hong Kong on that day.

     Lo Wu Control Point will be the busiest land boundary control point. During the holidays, it is estimated that there will be 2.67 million passengers, with a daily average of 296 000 passengers, travelling via Lo Wu Control Point. This estimate is 11 per cent more than the figure for the corresponding period last year. The passenger traffic at the Shenzhen Bay, Lok Ma Chau and Lok Ma Chau Spur Line control points will also be heavy, with daily average numbers of arriving and departing passengers forecast as 112 000, 92 000 and 129 000 respectively for the three control points.

     To cope with the anticipated heavy passenger traffic during the festive period, the Immigration Department has minimised leave for front-line officers at control points, redeployed additional officers to reinforce various control points, opened more clearance counters and kiosks at the control points and deployed additional security guards to provide crowd management support.

     The Immigration Department, the Police, the Customs and Excise Department and the MTR Corporation will set up a joint command centre to closely monitor the passenger traffic conditions and make necessary arrangements. The Immigration Department has also established communication with the Mainland frontier inspection authorities to ensure smooth passenger traffic flow.

     There are already a total of 400 e-Channels at various control points to enhance clearance capacity. Apart from Hong Kong residents, successfully enrolled frequent Mainland visitors can use the e-Channel service in the Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, Shenzhen Bay, Macau Ferry Terminal, China Ferry Terminal and Airport control points. Eligible frequent foreign visitors as well as Macau permanent residents may also use e-Channels in the aforesaid control points after completion of related enrolment.

     To avoid congestion and a longer waiting time than usual for immigration clearance, as traffic at control points is expected to be heavy, the Immigration Department advises all cross-boundary passengers to plan in advance and make their journeys during the less busy periods in the late morning or early afternoon, and to keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points. The expected busy times at land boundary control points are available on the website of the Immigration Department at www.immd.gov.hk. In addition, information on public transport services to and from various control points is available on the Transport Department website at www.td.gov.hk.

     The Immigration Department will upload daily passenger statistics for the above festive periods on its website for public reference.

     The department reminds cross-boundary passengers to take their identity cards and valid travel documents when they travel to the Mainland. Hong Kong residents should check the validity of their Home Visit Permits, in particular residents under the age of 18 whose Home Visit Permits are only valid for three years from the date of issue. Hong Kong residents holding a Document of Identity for Visa Purposes and other non-permanent residents must take their valid smart identity card as well as their Document of Identity for Visa Purposes or valid travel document. Re-enrolment is required for enrolled passengers who have received a new identity card to continue using the Express e-Channel.

     Those in the process of having their identity cards replaced who are 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.

     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/Thursday, September 27, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:22

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