Govt not to extend borders operating hours during LNY

The government announced on Wednesday that it would maintain the existing operating hours of the boundary control points during the Lunar New Year holiday. 

The Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port will maintain a 24-hour operation as usual.

The government spokesman stated that the decision was made after due consideration of all relevant factors, including the schedule and arrangements for major events during the New Year holiday, as well as the experience of extending the operating hours of certain borders during last Lunar New Year.

The government reminds visitors to plan ahead for their itineraries.

According to the Immigration Department's estimate, around 8.67 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong's control points during the New Year Golden Week, among which 7.34 million passengers will pass through land control points.

The peak period of outbound and inbound passengers using land borders is expected to be January 31 (the third day of Lunar New Year) and February 2 (the fifth day of Lunar New Year), with around 567,000 passengers and 640,000 passengers respectively.

MTR train services will be enhanced during the period between January 24 and February 4.

All local railway lines -- except for the East Rail Line between Sheung Shui Station and Lo Wu Station or Lok Ma Chau Station, Airport Express and Disneyland Resort Line -- will operate overnight on January 28 (Lunar New Year's Eve).

The frequency of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) will also be increased, according to the spokesman. Additional cross-boundary coach quotas will be issued to enhance services.