The government's travel warning system is not designed for would-be travellers to get refunds from tour operators, the security chief said yesterday.
Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong said in a special Legislative Council session the system only offered advice for those planning to travel.
Lee was responding to criticisms, including from some lawmakers, that the government was encouraging people to risk personal safety for refusing to extend the black alert signal to the whole of Japan.
Travellers who pull out of tours will only get their money back under a black alert.
'I understand some people are unhappy because they are refused a refund as the black travel warning is not issued,' Lee said.
'Some may want to blame us for it, especially those who had applied for leave and paid their fares. But the black travel warning is only a reference for those travelling and not a mechanism for refund.'