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More than 9.6 million people will travel in and out of Hong Kong through land, sea and air control points during the coming Ching Ming and Easter festive period, an increase of 8.6% over last year's holiday period.
The department said today (March 29) that about 6.97 million people would pass through the land boundary control points, an increase of 6.5% over the same period last year.
The peak period of cross-boundary traffic during Ching Ming and Easter festive period will fall between April 3 and April 16 when about 4.22 million passengers - an average of 301,000 daily - will pass through Lo Wu control point. This represents 61% of the total estimated cross-boundary passenger traffic and an increase of 4.1% over the corresponding period last year.
The number of departing passengers at Lo Wu control point is expected to reach a peak of 255,000 on April 5, while the peak for arrivals will be on April 8, with 210,000 people returning to Hong Kong. The highest daily traffic is expected to reach 375,000 on April 5.
The department said passenger traffic at Lok Ma Chau control point would also be heavy with a forecast of about 2.29 million passengers, a daily average of 164,000 and an increase of 10.3% over the same period last year. The peak of departures is expected to be on April 6, with about 116,000 people departing for the Mainland. The number of arriving passengers is expected to reach a peak of 123,000 on April 9.
To cope with the anticipated traffic, the Immigration Department has suspended leave applications from 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 KCRC 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 during the festive period.
To encourage people to use the automated passenger clearance system, two "Meeting Places" have been set up at Lo Wu control point. They are in the immigration departure hall at ground floor and at the KCRC new waiting concourse on the second floor. Those passengers travelling together but using different channels for immigration clearance can easily regroup after clearance formalities.
In view of the limited handling capacity of Lok Ma Chau control point, the Immigration Department suggests cross-boundary passengers use Lo Wu control point to avoid congestion.
There are 246 e-channels in operation at various control points. In addition to smart identity card holders who are Hong Kong permanent residents aged 11 or above and holders of Documents of Identity for Visa Purposes and people holding 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 can also enjoy self-service immigration clearance through e-channels.
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.
The Immigration Department will upload daily arrival statistics (between April 4 and April 10) on its website, www.immd.gov.hk, for public reference.
The department reminded people to bring along their identity cards and valid travel documents required for travel to the Mainland. For Hong Kong residents' attention, they should check the validity of their Home Visit Permit, in particular those under the age of 18 whose Home Visit Permits are valid for three years from the date of issue. Passengers bound for the Mainland should be careful with their personal belongings and avoid carrying over-sized luggage.
Those in the process of having their identity cards replaced and holding an acknowledgement receipt should bring along a valid travel document. Children under 11 years of age who hold Hong Kong identity cards should carry a valid travel document or Re-entry Permit.
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/Thursday, March 29, 2007
Issued at HKT 11:00
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