The Government today outlined the comprehensive arrangements for the opening of the new Huanggang Port, which is scheduled to commence operation at 6.30am on October 12.
Immigration clearance services at the port will start from 6.30am on that day. Prior to this switchover time, all passengers must continue to use the Lok Ma Chau Control Point to travel between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
The Immigration Department (ImmD) will ensure that all passengers arriving at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point or the temporary port building of the Huanggang Port in Shenzhen before 6.30am will be able to complete their immigration clearance procedures.
The ImmD appealed to eligible Hong Kong residents to enrol for the new “collaborative inspection” automated channels in advance via the “HK e-Channel” mobile application.
To closely monitor operations and ensure timely response measures, the ImmD will set up a joint command centre with relevant departments, including the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), the Customs & Excise Department (C&ED) and the Transport Department (TD). It will also maintain close liaison with Mainland authorities, including the Shenzhen General Station of Exit & Entry Frontier Inspection.
Meanwhile, the C&ED reminded travellers that a “passenger-vehicle separation” arrangement will be implemented at the new Huanggang Port. Under this measure, general passengers in cross-boundary private vehicles must disembark at the drop-off area, carrying their personal luggage and belongings to the immigration clearance hall to undergo clearance procedures.
Outbound vehicles will first pass through the “customs front kiosk” for risk assessment, and vehicles requiring further inspection must proceed to the designated examination area.
The HKPF said it will implement crowd management measures, regulate traffic flow and facilitate on-site media activities to ensure public safety and smooth port operations. On the night of the switchover, the HKPF will set up a Joint Operation Centre at the new port to monitor the crowd and traffic movements in real time.
Officers will also be deployed to the Lok Ma Chau Control Point and the San Tin Public Transport Interchange (PTI) to manage crowds, as members of the public and bus enthusiasts are expected to gather to catch the first and last bus departures or photograph the old facilities before they cease operations.
Regarding public transport arrangements, the TD announced that the final northbound Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus, commonly known as the Yellow Bus, to the original Huanggang Port will depart from San Tin PTI between 6.15am and 6.20am on October 12. The final southbound Yellow Bus from the original port will depart only after all cross-boundary travellers who entered the original port before 6.30am have completed clearance and boarded.
For the five short-haul cross-boundary coach routes, the last northbound departures from urban areas to the original port will take place between 5.15am and 5.45am on October 12. The final southbound departures from the original port back to urban areas will be between 6.15am and 6.30am that morning.
For the opening, five franchised bus and three green minibus daytime routes will begin operating to the new Huanggang Port, with the earliest departures from their urban termini starting from 4.45am.
