Hong Kong anticipates 6.44 million travelers during Easter and Ching Ming holidays; heavy traffic expected at land control points.

Cross-boundary passenger traffic estimation and arrangements for Easter and Ching Ming festive period

The Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that around 6.44 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong's sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Easter and Ching Ming festive period (from April 3 to 7). The ImmD, in consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection and other Mainland authorities, estimates that around 5.43 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points. The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points (BCPs) will be relatively higher on April 3 (Friday) and April 7 (Tuesday), with around 712 000 passengers and 671 000 passengers respectively.

The ImmD estimates that the passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point will be heavy, with a daily average forecast of about 240 000, 220 000 and 184 000 passengers respectively.

To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during the festive period, the ImmD has minimised leave for frontline officers for flexible deployment and operation of additional counters, temporary counters and channels. Additional security guards will also be deployed to provide crowd management support.

Furthermore, the ImmD, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Customs and Excise Department and the MTR Corporation Limited will set up a joint command centre at the Lo Wu Control Point to make necessary arrangements. The ImmD will also establish close communication with Mainland authorities, including the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection. To ensure a smooth passenger traffic flow, passenger conditions will be closely monitored and appropriate traffic diversion plans will be adopted when necessary.

The ImmD advises all land boundary passengers to plan in advance, avoid making their journeys during busy periods and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points. Residents and visitors may also visit "Easy Boundary" (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/bwt/status.html?type=outbound), a one-stop information platform on immigration clearance launched by the Security Bureau, to obtain useful information in one go, including the respective average waiting time for passengers and private cars at land BCPs, as well as for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge cross-boundary shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) to plan their trips and save waiting time.

For travellers making journeys to the Mainland, the ImmD reminds them to carry their proof of identity and valid travel documents for crossing the boundary. Hong Kong residents should also check the validity of their Home Visit Permits. Non-permanent residents must carry their valid smart identity card as well as their Document of Identity for Visa Purposes or valid travel document.

Holders of the acknowledgement receipt issued due to reported loss or replacement of their Hong Kong identity cards, or children under 11 years old who hold Hong Kong identity cards, should carry a valid travel document or Re-entry Permit.

About 700 e-Channels have been installed at various control points. To further enhance passenger clearance efficiency, 12 additional new e-channels, equipped with the "Face Easy e-Channel" function, have been installed in the Hong Kong International Airport arrival hall today (March 31). When using the "Face Easy e-Channel" service, eligible Hong Kong residents only need to face the cameras, and arrival immigration clearance will be completed upon successful verification of identity via facial recognition technology. There is no need for them to present any documents or QR code. Moreover, following the adjustments of the eligibility criteria for the e-Channel service for Hong Kong permanent residents, holders of an Electronic Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (e-EEP), holders of People's Republic of China electronic ordinary passports, departing visitors using "Smart Departure", and Macao residents, the eligibility criteria for e-Channel service for frequent visitors has been relaxed, and the enrolment procedure for the e-Channel service have been simplified with effect from February 27. For details of the e-Channel services, please visit:www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/immigration_clearance.html.

Hong Kong residents who require assistance while travelling outside Hong Kong may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the ImmD at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the ImmD Mobile App, send a message to 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline or submit the Online Assistance Request Form.

Source: AI-found images

Cross-boundary passenger traffic estimation and arrangements for Easter and Ching Ming festive period Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

"Primary evaluation" begins phased implementation and applications of new drugs for registration accepted under initial phase

The Department of Health (DH) today (March 31) began the phased implementation of "primary evaluation" for new drug registration. The initial phase covers applications for the registration of drug products containing locally registered chemical entities with extended applications (e.g. new indications, new strengths, new posology, new dosage forms, etc). Applications are accepted from today. The DH has sent letters to notify pharmaceutical associations and stakeholders (including holders and applicants of certificates of drug registration), and will organise online briefing seminars next month to explain the relevant details.

As mentioned in "The Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address" that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government would establish the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation (CMPR) in 2026 and begin the phased implementation of the "primary evaluation" mechanism for new drug registration in the same year. The HKSAR Government aims to achieve full coverage of all pharmaceutical products by 2030, which will enable Hong Kong to independently assess and approve the safety and efficacy of new drugs based on clinical data, with a view to expediting the introduction of innovative medical products, thereby achieving the goal of making good drugs and medical devices available for use in Hong Kong for the benefit of patients.

To pave the way for "primary evaluation", the Government first implemented the "1+" drug approval mechanism on November 1, 2023, to facilitate the registration of new drugs in Hong Kong for treating life-threatening or severely debilitating diseases. The mechanism was extended on November 1 the following year to cover all new drugs, including all new chemical or biological entities, new indications, vaccines and advanced therapy products. New drugs that are supported by local clinical data and recognised by local experts can be applied for registration in Hong Kong if the applicant submits evidence of approval from the drug regulatory authority of one non-local reference place (instead of two in the past). Since the launch of the "1+" mechanism, 19 new drugs have been approved under this mechanism. Seven of them have been listed in the Hospital Authority Drug Formulary. This brings new treatment options for patients and attracts more drug research and development (R&D) as well as clinical trials to be conducted in Hong Kong.

"Primary evaluation" is a new and comprehensive regulatory process to approve applications for registration of new drugs which involves the independent assessment of primary data of all pre-clinical trials (i.e. animal testing), clinical studies, pharmacovigilance, manufacturing and quality control, etc in order to fully ensure their safety, efficacy and quality before and after the drugs are placed in the market (i.e. throughout the product life cycle). Registering new drugs under the "primary evaluation" mechanism facilitates immediate approval without relying and waiting for approval from non-local drug regulatory authorities, which further speeds up the introduction of new drugs and clinical applications. This will not only help speed up patients' access to breakthrough treatments but also boost medical R&D, testing and related industries in Hong Kong. The Office for Introducing Innovative Drugs and Medical Devices under the Hospital Authority will, after ascertaining the needs and benefits of innovative drug treatments for local patients, proactively liaise with manufacturers of innovative drugs and medical devices, and utilise the "1+" mechanism for registration to bring in innovative drugs and medical devices that are beneficial and cost-effective for patients.

For details of applications for the registration and the briefing seminars, please visit the DH's dedicated website.

Source: AI-found images