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An estimated 8.62 million passengers will pass through land, sea and air control points during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday period. This is an increase of about 8% over the corresponding holiday period last year.
Between January 22 and February 2, cross-boundary traffic is expected to be heavy with about 3.2 million passengers - an average of about 266,000 daily - passing through Lo Wu control point. For inbound traffic, the busiest day at Lo Wu control point is expected to be on January 28 when about 188,000 passengers will arrive. Outbound traffic will be heavy on January 24, with about 168,000 people leaving Hong Kong.
Passenger traffic at Lok Ma Chau control point will also be heavy with a forecast of about 1.36 million passengers - a daily average of 113,000. Most of the travellers are expected to arrive from the Mainland via Lok Ma Chau control point on January 28, while the busiest outbound passenger traffic will be on January 24.
To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic, the Immigration Department has suspended leave for staff working at control points and has arranged for extra officers to be posted at the airport and sea and land boundary checkpoints during the holiday period. Additional security guards will be deployed at some busy control points to provide crowd management support.
For closer co-operation and co-ordination during these periods, the Immigration Department, Police, Customs and Excise Department and the MTR Corporation will set up a joint command centre at Lo Wu control point. All parties concerned will oversee traffic conditions and have drawn up contingency measures to handle any untoward incidents.
To avoid congestion at Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau control points, the Immigration Department suggests that cross-boundary passengers use Shenzhen Bay and Lok Ma Chau Spur Line control points to travel to and from the Mainland. Information on the public transport services to and from these two control points is available at the Transport Department website, www.td.gov.hk.
The Immigration Department will upload daily passenger statistics between January 23 and February 2 on its website, www.immd.gov.hk, for public reference.
The department reminded people to take their identity cards and valid travel documents required for travel to the Mainland or Macau. Hong Kong residents should check the validity of their Home Visit Permits, in particular those under the age of 18 whose Home Visit Permits are valid for three years from the date of issue. Hong Kong residents holding Document of Identity for Visa Purposes and other non-permanent residents must take with them their valid smart identity cards and Document of Identity for Visa Purposes or valid travel documents.
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 old who hold Hong Kong identity cards should carry a valid travel document or Re-entry Permit.
There are 361 e-channels installed at the various control points. 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 using the e-channels.
Passengers bound for the Mainland should be careful with their personal belongings and avoid carrying oversized luggage.
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/Monday, January 19, 2009
Issued at HKT 10:01
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