Interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements releases latest information on cross-boundary passenger traffic estimation and arrangements for Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland
The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, released the following information today (April 27) on the latest situation and arrangements for the upcoming Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland.
The Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that around 6 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong's sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland (from May 1 to May5). The ImmD, in consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection and other Mainland authorities, estimates that around 5 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points (BCPs). The number of outbound and inbound passengers using BCPs will be relatively higher on May 2 (Saturday) and May 3 (Sunday), with around 636 000 passengers and 688 000 passengers respectively.
The Immigration Department (ImmD), Photo source: ImmD
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 246 000, 227 000 and 172 000 passengers respectively.
The passenger traffic at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point, Photo source: Threads image
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 HZMB cross-boundary shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus), so as 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. 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, the eligibility criteria for the e-Channel service for Hong Kong permanent residents, holders of Electronic Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (e-EEP), holders of the People's Republic of China (PRC) electronic ordinary passports, departing visitors using "Smart Departure", Macao residents and frequent visitors have been adjusted, and the enrolment procedure for the e-Channel service have been simplified. 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.
The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements is tasked with holistically co-ordinating and steering the preparatory work of various government departments for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland, as well as strengthening information dissemination to enable the public and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation.
The passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point, Photo source: rednote image
