The Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that around 5.94 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong's sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Lunar New Year festive period (from January 24 to 30). Among them, about 74 per cent, or around 4.42 million passengers, will pass through land boundary control points. The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points will be relatively higher on January 26 (Sunday) and January 28 (Tuesday) with around 367 000 and 451 000 passengers respectively.

     The ImmD estimates that there will be around 1.38 million passengers, with a daily average of about 196 000 passengers, travelling via Lo Wu Control Point during the festive period. Also, the daily average forecast of the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line and Shenzhen Bay control points will be about 106 000 and 98 000 passengers respectively.

     The ImmD, the Police, the Customs and Excise Department and the MTR Corporation Limited will set up a joint command centre at Lo Wu Control Point whereas passenger conditions will be closely monitored to ensure smooth passenger traffic flow. Moreover, the ImmD will upload daily passenger statistics for the above festive period to its website at www.immd.gov.hk for public reference.

     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.

     Over 700 e-Channels have been installed at various control points. Eligible Mainland holders of the electronic Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (e-EEP) can enrol for the e-Channel service by using their e-EEP and undergoing the enrolment process at a traditional entry counter on their first visit to Hong Kong. Eligible Mainland visitors who have renewed their e-EEP have to go through the aforesaid enrolment process again before they can use the e-Channel.

     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.

     Owing to the maintenance works on the flag podium at the Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai, the flag-raising ceremony scheduled at 8am today (January 20) will be suspended.

     At around 8pm today (January 19), some rioters suddenly threw four petrol bombs at report room and car park of the Tai Po Police Station. Given that the report room was opened to the public at that time, rioters’ acts posed a serious threat to the safety of innocent members of public and endangered public safety. 
      
     Police warn rioters to stop all unlawful acts. The case is pending classification as “arson”, under the investigation by District Investigation Team of Tai Po District.

     In the interest of safety, the report room services of Tai Po Police Station are temporarily suspended. In case of emergency, please call 999.  

     Police officers sustained serious head injuries after being wantonly attacked by some rioters during a public assembly in Central this afternoon (January 19). A Government spokesman strongly condemns the acts which completely disregarded law and order.

     While the Police officers were discussing matters relating to the assembly with its person-in-charge, they were suddenly attacked by a number of rioters for no reason. Without any anti-riot equipment, the officers, sustaining injuries, immediately left the scene after the attacks but still continued to be assaulted by rioters with poles and other weapons. The violent attacks were outrageous.

     During and after the assembly, the rioters went on a rampage in the vicinity of Central to block roads, set fires and attack Police officers. They seriously disrupted traffic in the vicinity of Central, and damaged pavement, railings and other public facilities at different locations.  They hurled bricks and committed arson, posing a danger to people at the scene. Police stressed that they would not tolerate these violent acts. They will enforce the law strictly and conduct investigation to bring offenders to justice.

     The spokesman emphasised that rioters invariably took peaceful public assemblies or processions as cover for vandalism and attacks. The spokesman appeals to all the participants of these assemblies and processions to dissociate themselves from the rioters and pay attention to their personal safety. They should leave as soon as the assemblies have ended according to the instructions of the police in order not to become the accomplice of rioters.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
 
Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:
 
     As a public event in Chater Garden, Central today (January 19) has been suspended due to rioters’ violence, Police have been conducting dispersal operations in the area.
      
     Police warn rioters to stop all illegal acts immediately and urge the participants to leave through Central and Admiralty MTR Stations. Police officers are making arrests and remind that the participants at scene may be liable to offences such as “Unlawful Assembly”.