Interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements releases latest information on cross-boundary passenger traffic estimation and arrangements for National 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 (September 28) on the latest situation and arrangements for the upcoming National Day Golden Week of the Mainland.
The Immigration Department, Photo source: reference image
The Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that around 7.44 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the upcoming National Day Golden Week of the Mainland (from October 1 to October 7). The ImmD, in consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection and other Mainland authorities, estimates that around 6.31 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points (BCPs). The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land BCPs will be relatively higher on October 3 (Saturday) and October 4 (Sunday), with around 587 000 passengers and 586 000 passengers respectively.
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 220 000, 190 000 and 150 000 passengers respectively.
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.
To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during outbound and inbound peak hours, the ImmD will open additional counters, temporary counters and vehicle clearance kiosks in advance at land BCPs to strengthen its immigration clearance services. During the festive period, the ImmD has minimised leave for frontline officers for flexible deployment to divert passenger and vehicular flows. Additional security guards will also be deployed to provide crowd management support.
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 Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (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.
Photo source: ImmD
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 800 e-Channels have been installed at various control points. To further enhance passenger experience and clearance efficiency, the ImmD has launched the Seamless e-Channel service at the departure hall of the HZMB Hong Kong Port. Enrolled eligible Hong Kong permanent residents are able to enjoy “on-the-move” self-service departure clearance seamlessly by employing AI and facial recognition technology without the need to present a Hong Kong identity card or an e-Channel QR code. Moreover, the ImmD has launched the “Go Hong Kong” mobile application, enabling eligible frequent visitors to Hong Kong to complete enrolment for the e-Channel service on their smartphones equipped with a camera, Near-Field Communication (i.e. NFC) functionality and internet connectivity prior to arrival in Hong Kong. Upon successful enrolment, visitors can use the e-Channel service upon arrival in Hong Kong. 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 National 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.
Tourists in Hong Kong, Photo source: reference image
Special traffic arrangements for flag-raising ceremonies in celebration of 77th anniversary of founding of People’s Republic of China and National Day Fireworks Display on October 1
The Police announced today (September 28) that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in phases on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon from the early hours of September 30 to facilitate the holding of flag-raising ceremonies in celebration of the 77th anniversary of the founding of People’s Republic of China, and the National Day Fireworks Display on October 1.
Flag Raising Ceremony in Wan Chai North, Central and Tin Hau
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A. Road Closure
The following road sections will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic (except for authorised vehicles) at the times specified below:
(I) From 12.01am on September 30 to 1pm on October 1:
– Expo Drive;
– Expo Drive Central;
– Expo Drive East;
– The slip road leading from the Central – Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel to Expo Drive; and
– The section of Lung Wo Road eastbound between the Wan Chai portal of the Central – Wan Chai -Bypass Tunnel and Fleming Road.
(II) From 5.30am to 1pm on October 1
– The section of Lung Wo Road westbound between the Wan Chai portal of Central –
Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel and Expo Drive East; and
– Lung Tat Path.
(III) From 6.30am to 7.30am on October 1
– The section of Lung Wo Road between Edinburgh Place and Tim Wa Avenue.
(IV) From 6.30am to 8am on October 1
– The section of Tung Lo Wan Road between Causeway Road and Lai Yin Lane.
B. Traffic Diversions
To facilitate the aforementioned road closure arrangements, the following traffic diversions will be temporarily implemented at the times specified below:
(I) From 12.01am on September 30 to 1pm on October 1
– Vehicles along Lung Wo Road eastbound heading for Fleming Road and Hung Hing Road will be diverted onto Lung Hop Street southbound or heading for Island Eastern Corridor will continue travelling along Lung Wo Road eastbound to enter Central – Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel eastbound;
– Vehicles making right turn from Lung Hop Street northbound can only enter Central – Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel eastbound via Lung Wo Road eastbound; and
– Vehicles from Central heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via Man Po Street, Yiu Sing Street eastbound and Lung Wo Road eastbound.
(II) From 5.30am to 1pm on October 1
– Vehicles along Hung Hing Road westbound heading for Lung Wo Road westbound will be diverted via Fleming Road southbound, Fleming Road northbound, Harbour Road westbound, Fenwick Pier Street roundabout, Fenwick Pier Street westbound and Lung Hop Street northbound.
(III) From 6.30am to 7.30am on October 1
– Vehicles along Lung Wo Road eastbound will be diverted via Edinburgh Place southbound;
– Vehicles along Lung Wo Road westbound will be diverted via Tim Wa Avenue southbound;
– Vehicles along Harcourt Road eastbound will not be allowed to enter Tim Wa Avenue; and
– Vehicles along Tim Wa Avenue southbound will not be allowed to u-turn to Tim Wa Avenue northbound.
(IV) From 6.30am to 8am on October 1
– Vehicles along Causeway Road westbound will be keep straight to Causeway Road westbound.
C. Suspension of parking spaces and pick-up/drop-off areas
– The metered parking spaces and pick-up/drop-off area at Expo Drive; and the on-street parking spaces and pick-up/drop-off area at Expo Drive East will be suspended from 12.01am on September 30 to 1pm on October 1; and
– All metered parking spaces and parking spaces designated for people with disabilities on Tung Lo Wan Road between Causeway Road and Lai Yin Lane will be suspended from 10pm on September 30 to 8am on October 1.
National Day Fireworks Display
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Hong Kong Island
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A. Road Closure
The following roads will be closed to all vehicular traffic and the special traffic arrangements will be implemented during the periods as specified below, until the crowd is dispersed and the closed roads re-open to traffic:
Phase I – From 4pm on October 1:
– The section of Expo Drive East outside Golden Bauhinia Square.
Phase II – From 6.30pm on October 1:
Wan Chai District
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– Expo Drive;
– Expo Drive Central;
– Expo Drive East;
– The section of Lung Wo Road eastbound between Tim Wa Avenue and Fleming Road;
– The section of Lung Wo Road westbound between Legislative Council Road and Fleming Road;
– Hung Hing Road;
– Hung Hing Road flyover;
– Lung Tat Path;
– Convention Avenue;
– Lung King Street;
– Fenwick Pier Street eastbound;
– Harbour Road eastbound;
– The section of Fleming Road between Expo Drive East and Harbour Road;
– Fleming Road flyover;
– The section of Tonnochy Road northbound between Hung Hing Road and Harbour Road;
– The section of Tonnochy Road southbound between Hung Hing Road and Gloucester Road;
– The section of Marsh Road between Hung Hing Road and Gloucester Road;
– Marsh Road flyover;
– The section of Marsh Road between Hennessy Road and Lockhart Road;
– Wan Ying Street;
– Wan Shing Street;
– The slip road leading from Victoria Park Road eastbound to Causeway Bay Promenade;
– Lung Hop Street; and
– The exit and entrance of the Central – Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel to/from Expo Drive and Lung Wo Road.
Central District
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– Man Kwong Street;
– Man Fai Street;
– The section of Man Yiu Street between Man Kwong Street and Yiu Sing Street; and
– Unnamed road near Lung Wo Road outside General Post Office metered parking spaces.
Eastern District
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– The section of Hing Fat Street northward of Whitfield Road;
– King Ming Road;
– Watson Road;
– Whitfield Road; and
– The section of Electric Road between Watson Road and Gordon Road.
Phase III – From 7.15pm on October 1:
Central District
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– Yiu Sing Street;
– Lung Wo Road;
– Edinburgh Place;
– Tim Wa Avenue; and
– Tim Mei Avenue.
Wan Chai District
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– Legislative Council Road;
– Lung Wui Road;
– Performing Arts Avenue;
– The section of unnamed road between Harcourt Road and Performing Arts Avenue;
– Fenwick Pier Street flyover;
– Fenwick Pier Street westbound;
– The section of Fenwick Street between Harbour Road and Gloucester Road;
– Harbour Road westbound;
– The section of Fleming Road between Harbour Road and Gloucester Road;
– Harbour Drive;
– Tonnochy Road flyover; and
– The section of Tonnochy Road northbound between Harbour Road and Gloucester Road.
Phase IV – From 7.55pm on October 1:
Wan Chai District
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– The section of Lockhart Road between Canal Road West and Luard Road;
– The section of O’Brien Road between Jaffe Road and Lockhart Road;
– The section of Fleming Road between Jaffe Road and Hennessy Road;
– The section of Stewart Road between Jaffe Road and Hennessy Road;
– The section of Tonnochy Road between Jaffe Road and Hennessy Road;
– The section of Marsh Road between Jaffe Road and Lockhart Road; and
– The section of Canal Road West between Lockhart Road and Hennessy Road.
Central District
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– The section of Man Yiu Street between Man Po Street and Man Cheung Street;
– The section of Man Po Street between slip road leading to Finance Street and Man Yiu Street; and
– The section of Finance Street between Man Yiu Street and Man Po Street.
Phase V – From 7.55pm to 8.23pm on October 1 (except for franchised buses):
Eastern District
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– The section of Island Eastern Corridor (IEC) westbound between Victoria Park Road and Man Hong Street;
– The slip roads leading to IEC westbound from Healthy Street Central, Tong Shui Road and Wharf Road; and
– The entrance of the Central – Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel westbound from IEC.
B. Traffic Diversion
To facilitate the aforementioned road closure arrangements, the following traffic diversions will be implemented temporarily in the periods concerned until the crowd is dispersed and the closed roads re-open to traffic:
Phase I – From 6.30pm on October 1:
– In connection to the road closure in Central, the section of Rumsey Street between Chung Kong Road and Connaught Road Central will be converted into one-way southbound traffic only.
Phase II – From 7.55pm to 8.23pm on October 1:
– In connection to the road closure in Eastern District, vehicles along IEC westbound will be diverted via Man Hong Street.
Phase III – From 7.55pm on October 1:
– In connection to the road closure in Central District, vehicles along Connaught Road West flyover eastbound will be diverted via Finance Street.
C. Suspension of Parking Spaces
All on-street parking spaces, metered parking spaces, motorcycle parking spaces and parking spaces designated for people with disabilities will be suspended from 10am to 10pm on October 1 at the following locations:
– Man Kwong Street;
– Yiu Sing Street;
– Lung Wo Road;
– Lung Wui Road;
– Lung Hop Street;
– Edinburgh Place;
– Unnamed Road near Lung Wo Road outside General Post Office metered parking spaces;
– Hung Hing Road;
– Expo Drive;
– Expo Drive East;
– Convention Avenue;
– Fleming Road;
– Wan Shing Street;
– Stewart Road;
– Marsh Road;
– Tonnochy Road;
– The section of Lockhart Road between Percival Street and Luard Road;
– Canal Road East;
– Canal Road West;
– Waston Road; and
– Whitfield Road.
D. Suspension of Public Transport Interchange
In connection to the road closures in the vicinities of Wan Chai North and Central, the following public transport interchanges will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 5.30pm to 10pm on October 1 until the closed road re-open to traffic:
– Exhibition Centre Station Public Transport Interchange;
– Central Ferry Piers Bus Terminus; and
– Whitfield Road Bus Terminus.
E. Restrictions on Access to/exit from Car parks
Vehicles parked in car parks within the closed areas in North Point, Wan Chai and Central will not be permitted to enter or leave the car parks during the road closure period until the closed roads re-open. The car parks on Gloucester Road westbound between Paterson Street and Percival Street may be closed by the Police if necessary.
Kowloon
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A. Road Closure
The following roads will be closed to all vehicular traffic and the special traffic arrangements will be implemented during the periods as specified below, until the crowd is dispersed and the closed roads re-open to traffic:
Phase I – From 5pm:
– Salisbury Road and Salisbury Road Underpass between Science Museum Road and Kowloon Park Drive;
– The section of Hung Hom Bypass between Salisbury Road and Metropolis Drive;
– The section of Hung Hom Bypass between Salisbury Road and Hung Hom Road;
– The section of Salisbury Road southbound between Hong Chong Road and Hung Hom Bypass;
– The u-turn slip road of Salisbury Road leading from Salisbury Road eastbound to Salisbury Road westbound;
– The section of Chatham Road South between Cheong Wan Road and Salisbury Road;
– The section of Chatham Road South southbound between Cheong Wan Road and Granville Road (except for franchised buses and green minibuses);
– The section of Granville Road between Chatham Road South and Science Museum Road (except for franchised buses and green minibuses);
– The section of Canton Road between Gateway Boulevard and Salisbury Road;
– The section of Kowloon Park Drive southbound between Canton Road and Salisbury Road;
– The section of Nathan Road northbound between Salisbury Road and Austin Road;
– The section of Nathan Road southbound between Granville Road and Salisbury Road;
– The section of Chatham Road South northbound between Granville Road and Salisbury Road;
– The section of Carnarvon Road between Granville Road and Nathan Road;
– Hong Wan Path;
– Mody Lane;
– Mody Road;
– Mody Square;
– Granville Square;
– Minden Row;
– Hanoi Road;
– Bristol Avenue;
– Minden Avenue;
– Blenheim Avenue;
– Hart Avenue;
– Prat Avenue;
– Humphreys Avenue;
– Cameron Road;
– Cameron Lane;
– Hau Fuk Street;
– Middle Road;
– Peking Road;
– Lock Road;
– Hankow Road;
– Ashley Road;
– Ichang Street; and
– Haiphong Road.
Phase II – From 5.30pm:
– The section of Salisbury Road between Canton Road and Kowloon Park Drive; and
– The section of Kowloon Park Drive northbound between Salisbury Road and Canton Road.
Phase III – From 6pm:
– Museum Drive;
– Cultural Drive;
– The slip road near Xiqu Centre leading from Austin Road West westbound to Austin Road West eastbound;
– The slip road near The Harbourside leading from Austin Road eastbound to Austin Road West westbound;
– The left lane of Austin Road West westbound leading to Austin Road West roundabout; and
– Kin Wan Street.
Phase IV – From 7.45pm:
– The section of Nga Cheung Road between Jordan Road and Austin Road West;
– The section of Canton Road between Austin Road West and Kowloon Park Drive;
– The section of Nathan Road between Austin Road and Jordan Road;
– The section of Bowring Street between Pilkem Street and Nathan Road;
– The section of Tak Shing Street between Nathan Road and Tak Hing Street;
– The section of Nathan Road southbound between Austin Road and Granville Road;
– The section of Chatham Road South northbound between Granville Road and Observatory Road;
– Pine Tree Hill Road;
– Hillwood Road;
– The section of Kimberly Road between Nathan Road and Observatory Road;
– Granville Circuit;
– The section of Carnarvon Road between Kimberly Road and Granville Road;
– Kimberly Street;
– Shun Yee Street;
– The section of Granville Road between Nathan Road and Chatham Road South;
– The section of Austin Road West roundabout between Austin Road West entrance and Museum Drive exit/entrance;
– The section of Hung Luen Road westbound between Hung Lok Road and Shuen King Street;
– The section of Hung Luen Road eastbound between Hung Lok Road and Oi King Street; and
Wa Shun Street.
B. Traffic Diversions
In connection with the road closures in Tsim Sha Tsui, the following traffic diversions will be implemented in phases in the period as specified below, until the crowd is dispersed and the re-opening of road sections:
Phase I – From 5pm:
– Vehicles on Hung Hom Road southbound will be directed to the roundabout at Cheong Tung Road via Hung Hom Bypass;
– Vehicles on Metropolis Drive eastbound will be prohibited from turning right onto Hung Hom Bypass southbound;
– Vehicles on Hung Hom Bypass southbound will be diverted to turn right onto Metropolis Drive westbound;
– Franchised buses along Nathan Road southbound will turn right onto Public Square Street westbound or Jordan Road westbound;
– Franchised buses and green minibuses along Chatham Road South southbound will turn left onto Granville Road eastbound;
– Vehicles on Canton Road southbound will make an u-turn onto Canton Road northbound outside China Hong Kong City;
– Vehicles on Kowloon Park Drive northbound will be prohibited from turning left onto Canton Road southbound;
– The section of Granville Road between Nathan Road and Carnarvon Road will be re-routed as one-way eastbound and vehicles on Nathan Road southbound will be diverted to turn left onto Granville Road eastbound;
– Vehicles on Science Museum Road will be prohibited from turning onto Mody Road and Granville Road;
– Vehicles on Salisbury Road southbound near Hong Chong Road will be diverted to Tsim Sha Tsui East;
– Vehicles on Jordan Road westbound will be prohibited from turning left onto Canton Road southbound;
– Vehicles on Granville Road eastbound near Chatham Road South will turn left onto Chatham Road South northbound;
– Vehicles on Salisbury Road eastbound will turn left onto Kowloon Park Drive northbound;
– Vehicles on Kowloon Park Drive northbound will be prohibited from turning right onto Peking Road; and
– Vehicles on Cheong Wan Road westbound heading for Chatham Road South will turn right onto Chatham Road South northbound or diverted via Austin Road westbound (except for franchised buses and green minibuses).
Phase II – From 6pm:
– Vehicles on Austin Road West westbound will be prohibited from entering the slip road of Austin Road West;
– Vehicles on Austin Road West westbound can only head for Nga Cheung Road elevated road;
– Vehicles on Austin Road West eastbound will be prohibited from entering the slip road of Austin Road West;
– Vehicles on Nga Cheung Road southbound will be prohibited from entering Museum Drive; and
– Vehicles on Huen Luen Road will be prohibited from entering Kin Wan Street.
Phase III – From 7.45pm:
– Vehicles on Nathan Road southbound will be diverted to turn right onto Jordan Road westbound;
– Vehicles on Jordan Road westbound will be prohibited from turning left onto
Nathan Road southbound;
– Vehicles on Austin Road westbound and Cox’s Road southbound will be prohibited from turning onto Pine Tree Hill Road;
– Vehicles on Observatory Road will be prohibited from turning left onto Kimberly Street westbound;
– Vehicles on Pilkem Street northbound will be prohibited from turning right onto Bowring Street eastbound;
– Vehicles on Bowring Street eastbound will be diverted via Pilkem Street northbound;
– Vehicles on Canton Road southbound will be directed to Austin Road eastbound or Austin Road West westbound;
– Vehicles from Austin Road West eastbound will be prohibited from turning right onto Canton Road southbound;
– Vehicles on Jordan Road westbound heading to Nga Cheung Road will be directed to Kowloon Station Public Transport Interchange;
– Vehicles on Gateway Boulevard northbound will be diverted to Kowloon Park Drive northbound;
– Vehicles on Nga Cheung Road southbound entering Austin Road West roundabout will be directed to Austin Road West eastbound;
– Vehicles on Oi King Street southbound will be diverted to turn left onto Hung Luen Road eastbound;
– Vehicles on Hung Lok Road southbound will be prohibited from turning turn left onto Hung Luen Road eastbound;
– Vehicles on Hung Luen Road eastbound will turn left onto Hung Lok Road northbound;
– Vehicles on Hung Luen Road eastbound is prohibited from turning right onto Wa Shun Street and Hung Hom (Hung Luen Road) Public Transport Interchange;
– Vehicles on Shung King Street westbound will turn right onto Hung Luen Road northbound;
– Vehicles on Hung Luen Road southbound will turn left onto Shung King Street eastbound; and
– Vehicles on Hung Hom South Road southbound heading for Hung Luen Road westbound will turn left onto Hung Hom (Hung Luen Road) Public Transport Interchange (only for franchised buses and green minibuses).
The following traffic diversions will be implemented by police if necessary:
– Vehicles on Hung Luen Road southbound will turn left onto Wa Shun Street eastbound;
– Vehicles on Wa Shun Street westbound will turn right onto Hung Luen Road eastbound;
– Vehicles on Hung Lok Road southbound will be prohibited from turning left onto Hung Luen Road eastbound; and
– Vehicles on Hung Luen Road eastbound will be directed to turn left onto Hung Lok Road northbound.
C. Suspension of Parking Spaces
– All on-street parking spaces along the closed road sections Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom area will be suspended from noon on October 1 to 11.30pm on October 1; and
– All metered parking spaces on Hoi Bun Road, two of parking spaces designated for people with disabilities on Hoi Bun Road eastbound near Hoi Bun Road Park, 10 of motorcycle parking spaces on Hoi Bun Road westbound near Kwun Tong Promenade and all metered parking spaces and parking space designated for people with disabilities at Kai Tak Runway Park Pier will be suspended from 3pm on October 1 to 1am on the following day of October 1.
D. Restrictions on Access to/exit from Car parks
– Vehicles parked in all car parks within the closed road area in Tsim Sha Tsui will not be permitted to enter or leave the car parks from about 5pm on October 1 until the re-opening of roads; and
– Vehicles parked in all car parks within the closed road area in West Kowloon Cultural District will not be permitted to enter or leave the car parks from about 6pm on October 1 until the re-opening of roads.
Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts mentioned above will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to ticketing.
Members of the public are advised to use public transport to access the above areas. They should pay attention to the latest special traffic arrangements announced by the Transport Department. Actual implementation of traffic arrangements and crowd safety management measures will be made depending on the traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Members of the public are advised to exercise patience and tolerance, and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.
Source: AI-created image
