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As the Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng Festival) long weekend approaches, the Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates around 3.2 million passengers will pass through the city for a weekend getaway.

While the mainlanders will enjoy a three-day holiday starting Friday (May 30), the ImmD, in consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection and other mainland authorities, anticipates approximately 2.73 million passengers to cross the city's land borders and control points.

Departures via land boundary control are expected to be relatively busy on Saturday (May 31) and Sunday (June 1), with about 570,000 and around 540,000 passengers expected, respectively.

Additionally, the Lo Wu Control Point, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point, and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point will experience heavy passenger traffic during the holiday, with a daily average forecast of approximately 230,000, 200,000, and 140,000 passengers, respectively.

To manage the projected heavy traffic, the ImmD has minimized staff leave and increased the number of clearance counters.

A joint command center has been established at the Lo Wu Control Point, involving the Customs and Excise Department, and MTR, to coordinate measures and monitor traffic flow closely.

The ImmD will also maintain constant communication with mainland authorities, including the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection.

Anticipating a longer-than-usual waiting time for immigration clearance, the department advised travelers to plan their journey in advance and avoid peak hours.

(Phoebe Poon)

HK set to brace 3.2mn cross-border passengers during Dragon Boat Festival:ImmD