Hong Kong raises travel alert for Syria to black
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     As the situation in Syria continues to deteriorate, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (April 26) raised the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for the country to black.

     A Government spokesman said, "Residents are urged to avoid all travel to the country. Those already there should attend to their personal safety and avoid protests and large gatherings of people."

     The Security Bureau will continue to monitor the situation there. Any update will be issued through the media and the bureau's OTA webpage, www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota .

     Residents who need assistance while outside Hong Kong may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department at (852) 1868.

Ends/Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:43

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