In view of the latest situation in Turkey, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (November 23) adjusted the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for Ankara and Istanbul in Turkey from Red to Amber.

     A Government spokesman said, "Residents who plan to visit Turkey including Ankara and Istanbul or are already there should monitor the situation, exercise caution, attend to personal safety, avoid travelling to places with large gatherings of people and pay attention to announcements by local authorities. Hong Kong residents should avoid non-essential travel to the southeastern provinces of Batman, Bingol, Bitlis, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hakkari, Hatay, Kilis, Mardin, Sanliurfa, Siirt, Sirnak, Tunceli and Van."

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

     Residents who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department (ImmD) at (852) 1868 or contact the Chinese Embassy in Turkey at consular protection hotline (90) 5388215530.

     Hong Kong residents are encouraged to use the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service (www.gov.hk/roti) of the ImmD to register their contact details and itinerary when outside Hong Kong. The information provided allows the ImmD to disseminate practical information to them through appropriate means, including SMS on mobile phones, on a timely basis when necessary.

Ends/Friday, November 23, 2018
Issued at HKT 18:02

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