Subsidiary legislation relevant to further opening up of Frontier Closed Area to be gazetted on May 8
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A spokesperson for the Security Bureau said today (May 6) that part of Mai Po is within the Frontier Closed Area (FCA). Moreover, Mai Po and the adjacent marshes are listed in the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170) as Restricted Area. At present, visitors to Mai Po FCA must apply for a Closed Area Permit (CAP) from the Police and a permit to enter the Mai Po Marshes Restricted Area from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). The purpose of the Amendment Order is to exclude the concerned part of Mai Po from the FCA, such that members of the public will only have to apply for a permit to enter the Mai Po Marshes Restricted Area from the AFCD in accordance with the existing requirements of the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance, and will no longer be required to apply for a CAP from the Police. The AFCD will continue to enforce the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance to ensure that, after the opening up of the Mai Po FCA, while facilitating visits by members of the public, it can continue to effectively control the number of visitors entering the area and protect the important ecological environment from excessive human disturbance.
Moreover, following the establishment of the Robin's Nest Country Park in November 2024, the Government has since January 24, 2025, opened a section of road within the FCA near Lin Ma Hang in Sha Tau Kok, through publishing a notice in the Gazette to exempt the requirement to apply for a CAP for members of the public travelling by public light buses passing through this section of road. After examining the effectiveness of the exemption, the Commissioner of Police now amends the Frontier Closed Area (Permission to Enter) Notice (Cap. 245H), as a permanent arrangement, to grant permission to any persons entering or leaving Lin Ma Hang by public light buses to enter or leave the above section of road within the FCA without the need to hold a CAP to facilitate on a long-term basis visits by visitors to the Robin's Nest Country Park and nearby areas for sightseeing and experiencing Hong Kong's rich geological features and historical heritage.
The Amendment Order and the Amendment Notice will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on May 13. Subject to the completion of the legislative procedures, the Amendment Order and the Amendment Notice will come into effect on July 24, 2026. Upon implementation, all FCAs will be opened to the public, except for border-crossing facilities and boundary patrol roads.
Ends/Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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