An estimated 4.21 million people will cross land boundary checkpoints during the Labour Day holidays, an increase of 76.2% over the same period last year.

The Immigration Department expects the peak period to fall between April 29 and May 9, and about 2.91 million passengers (an average of 264,000 daily) will use Lo Wu checkpoint. It represents 70% of total estimated cross-boundary passenger traffic and an increase of 58.8% over last year.

The number of departing passengers at Lo Wu may reach a peak of 170,000 on May 1, while the peak of arrivals will be on May 2, with 170,000. The highest daily traffic is expected to reach 325,000 on May 1.

Passenger traffic at Lok Ma Chau checkpoint will also be heavy, with a forecast 1.04 million passengers (a daily average of 94,000).

Peak departures are expected on May 8, with about 55,000 people leaving for Shenzhen. The number of arrivals is expected to reach a peak of 56,000 on May 9.

300% increase

An estimated 239,000 Mainland visitors will enter Hong Kong via Lo Wu control point, up 292% over last year's 61,000. Of the 239,000, some 22,000 will travel in groups and 99,000 individually.

To cope with the extra demand, the department has arranged for 273 officers to reinforce boundary checkpoints during the festive period through internal deployment. It and Shenzhen authorities will also strengthen co-operation and liaison to ensure smooth and orderly movement across the boundary.

To ensure smooth arrival of tour groups, the department will implement special measures and arrangements with Police, the Customs & Excise Department, the Transport Department, the Tourism Commission, the Tourism Board, the Travel Industry Council and the Hotels Association.

A Joint Command Centre has been set up at Lo Wu control point. The parties have drawn up contingency measures to handle any untoward incidents and will oversee traffic conditions during the festive period. The Civil Aid Service will increase manpower to assist in crowd control at Lo Wu from April 30 to May 2.

Passengers bound for the Mainland should be careful with personal belongings and avoid carrying over-sized luggage. 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.

Application forms can be downloaded from the department's website.