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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (January 16) removed the Red Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for three prefectures in Japan (Miyagi, Ibaraki and Iwate Prefectures), but is maintaining the Red OTA for Fukushima Prefecture.
A Government spokesman said, "Having reviewed the latest situation of the areas affected by the serious earthquake and tsunami, the Security Bureau decided to remove the Red OTA for Miyagi, Ibaraki and Iwate Prefectures but maintain the same for Fukushima Prefecture for the time being. Hong Kong residents who intend to visit Japan should avoid non-essential travel to Fukushima Prefecture. In particular, they should avoid all travel within 20 kilometres of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, as well as the deliberate evacuation areas identified by the Japanese authorities."
The Security Bureau will continue to closely monitor the situation and issue updates through the media and the 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/Monday, January 16, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:52
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