Fewer crossings last Lunar New Year prompted Hong Kong’s border decision
Lawmaker says government should nonetheless prepare contingency measures in case of traffic surge on fifth night of holiday
Hong Kong authorities have decided against extending the operating hours of border checkpoints during Lunar New Year due to the few late-night crossings observed last year, the Post has learned, with a lawmaker saying the government should still prepare contingency plans.
Leading tourism figures also said on Thursday that border arrangements would not affect the plans of mainland Chinese visitors or prompt them to stay overnight.
On Wednesday, the government announced that border checkpoints would not operate beyond working hours during the coming festive period, despite expectations for a “notable increase” in the number of tourists entering the city compared with last year.
A government source said the extended hours during the last Lunar New Year were an “exceptional” measure to avoid a repeat of the chaos when crowds of travellers were left stranded at some crossings in the early hours of New Year’s Day in 2024 following celebratory events.
The insider added that the Security Bureau also reviewed last year’s figures and found that “not many” visitors had crossed the border during the extended hours.
“Another key consideration is that celebratory events end early, allowing visitors ample time to travel to the border during the normal operating hours,” the official said.