IMMD prepares for holiday traffic surge
Led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, the cross-departmental working group on festive arrangements has announced the latest updates regarding the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
The Immigration Department anticipates that from tomorrow until New Year's Day, approximately 13.07 million people, including Hong Kong residents and travelers, will enter and exit the city through various control points. Following consultations with the Shenzhen Entry-exit Frontier Inspection Station and other departments, it is expected that around 11.06 million people will use land border control points, with peak outbound traffic projected for Christmas Day (Wednesday), reaching about 595,000 people. The peak for inbound traffic is expected on Sunday, Dec. 29, with around 626,000 entries.
The Immigration Department estimates that the Lo Wu Control Point, Lok Ma Chau, and Shenzhen Bay will be particularly busy, with daily averages of approximately 235,000, 203,000, and 131,000 people entering and exiting, respectively.
In light of the New Year's Eve countdown fireworks display, the HKSAR government has coordinated with the Shenzhen municipal government to extend service hours at border control points on New Year's Eve. The mainland port authorities have submitted the necessary requests for approval from national border authorities, with further details to be announced soon.
To manage traveler flow, the Immigration Department will reduce frontline staff leave, increase inspection counters and passageways, and deploy additional security personnel to assist travelers.
Furthermore, a joint command center will be established at the Lo Wu Control Point in collaboration with the Police, Customs, and MTR to implement appropriate measures and maintain close communication with mainland departments, monitoring passenger flow and taking necessary diversion actions as needed.
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