Hong Kong is expected to see around 11.38 million trips made in and out of the city during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday period, the Immigration Department has said.
Among the over 11 million trips that are estimated to be made between Saturday and February 23, around 9.52 million are expected to be through land boundary checkpoints with mainland China, according to a government statement.
Hongkongers will enjoy a three-day public holiday starting next Tuesday, the first day of the Year of the Horse.
The number of passengers crossing land checkpoints are expected to be particularly higher this Saturday and next Sunday, with authorities anticipating the heaviest traffic at Lo Wu.
All the border checkpoints will maintain their existing operation hours, including the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port, which run 24 hours.
Hong Kong authorities will host two major events to celebrate the Year of the Horse. Next Tuesday, the Hong Kong Tourism Board will host a night parade in Tsim Sha Tsui, starting from the Hong Kong Culture Centre Piazza and ending at the Sheraton Hotel.
The government will also hold the annual Lunar New Year fireworks display at Victoria Harbour next Wednesday sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Traffic control
The Transport Department said on Thursday that traffic diversions and road closures will be implemented in Tsim Sha Tsui from 3.30pm to 11.45pm next Tuesday. The night parade is scheduled from 8pm to 9.45pm.
Separately, traffic diversions and road closures will be in force in Central, Wan Chai and eastern Hong Kong island from around 6pm next Wednesday ahead of the fireworks display at 8pm.
In Kowloon, the department will close some roads in Tsim Sha Tsui and near the West Kowloon Cultural District starting from 5pm next Wednesday.
The department urged the public to use public transport as far as possible and to avoid driving to the above areas.
