An estimated 4.87 million people are expected to cross the land boundary checkpoints on their way to and from the Mainland during the Ching Ming and Easter holidays, an increase of 73.3% over the same period last year.

The Immigration Department said that the number of passengers travelling to and from the Mainland through the land boundary checkpoints dropped significantly during last year's festive period - due to the outbreak of SARS. 

As the local economy is recovering, the cross-boundary passenger traffic during the coming festive period is expected to increase.

The peak period for cross-boundary traffic during the Ching Ming and Easter festive period will run from April 2 to April 13, 12 days inclusive. 

About 280,000 passengers to travel through Lo Wu daily

About 3.4 million passengers are expected to travel through the Lo Wu checkpoint, an average of 280,000 passengers per day.

During the Ching Ming festive period, the number of departing passengers at Lo Wu is expected to peak at 180,000 on April 3, while the peak of arrivals is expected to fall on April 5, with 175,000 people returning to Hong Kong. 

The highest daily traffic is expected to reach 320,000 on April 3.

Lo Wu may see 185,000 depart daily at Easter 

For the Easter holidays, the number of departing passengers at Lo Wu may reach a peak of 185,000 on April 9, while the peak of arrivals will be on April 12, with 185,000 people returning to Hong Kong.

The passenger traffic at Lok Ma Chau checkpoint will also be heavy, with a forecast of about 1.17 million passengers, a daily average of 97,000. 

During the Ching Ming festive period, the peak of departures is expected to fall on April 3, with about 61,000 people departing for Shenzhen. 

The number of arriving passengers is expected to reach a peak of 63,000 on April 5.

April 9 the peak for Easter holiday departures

Over the Easter holidays, the peak of departures is expected on April 9, with about 60,000 people departing for Shenzhen. 

The number of arriving passengers is expected to reach a peak of 61,000 on April 12.

To cope with the extra demand, the Immigration Department has arranged for 180 officers to reinforce the boundary checkpoints during the festive period through internal redeployment. 

The Immigration Department and the Shenzhen authorities will also strengthen their co-operation and liaison to ensure smooth and orderly movements across the boundary.

If need be, the Lo Wu checkpoint will implement the Contra-Flow Scheme to relieve congestion.

Watch your belongings, bring ID

Passengers bound for the Mainland should guard their personal belongings and avoid carrying over-sized luggage. 

They are also reminded to take their identity cards and valid travel documents when travelling to the Mainland.

Those in the process of having their identity cards replaced and holding an acknowledgment receipt should bring along a valid travel document.

Children under 11 years of age who hold Hong Kong identity cards should carry a valid travel document such as their passport or Re-entry Permit.

Those holding non machine-readable multiple Re-entry Permits issued before December 17, 2001, are advised to apply early for a free add-on, machine-readable label, so as to shorten their immigration clearance time.