Some 6.04 million travelers — both outbound and inbound — are expected during the upcoming four-day Easter break, Hong Kong authorities said on Monday.
Among them, 5.05 million are expect to use land boundary control points, the Immigration Department said.
The figure includes both Hong Kong residents and visitors, as the city braces for one of its busiest travel periods of the year. Authorities advised travelers to plan ahead and expect delays, particularly at major land crossings like Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau.
In particular, passenger traffic on April 18 and 21, the first and last days of the break, are set to peak, with approximately 759,000 outbound passengers and 618,000 inbound passengers, respectively.
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, reaching a daily average of about 225,000, 202,000 and 164,000 passengers, respectively, according to the department’s estimates.
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People should avoid traveling during peak periods. It is recommended to stay informed of traffic conditions at various control points by keeping track of radio and TV broadcasts.
Information on the busy times at boundary control points is available on the department’s website. Additionally, passengers can check estimated waiting times at each land boundary control point via the Immigration Department’s Mobile Application.
Currently, about 700 e-Channels have been installed at various control points, and the permitted applicable age for e-Channel service for holders of smart identity cards has been expanded to Hong Kong permanent residents aged 7 to 10 years old, who are at least 1.1 metres tall and hold a smart identity card and a valid Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport without prior enrolment, since March 31.
To cope with the influx of passengers, the department will establish a joint command center at the Lo Wu Control Point to make necessary arrangements, with the police, the Customs and Excise Department and the MTR — the city’s train operator.
The department said it will closely communicate with Chinese mainland authorities and adopt traffic diversion plans if necessary.
