Hong Kong authorities are considering extending border opening hours for heavy nighttime traffic

Hong Kong’s immigration chief has said authorities may consider extending the opening hours of the city’s border checkpoints during periods of high nighttime traffic.

Immigration Director Benson Kwok Joon-fung said on Saturday that border traffic had continued to increase after the pandemic and had almost reached pre-Covid-19 levels.

Hong Kong recorded 1.2 million inbound and outbound trips through all the city’s checkpoints on Aug. 25, surpassing the daily record of 1.19 million set in 2017, he said.

“We have already reduced the number of employees taking leave during the peak season. We will also deploy some manpower to help provide a more efficient service,” he told a television program.

When asked whether the immigration department would consider extending the opening hours of the checkpoints to handle the large crowds, Kwok said such a decision would require cooperation with various parties.

“Several government departments and some organizations will be involved, as well as the relevant units in mainland China,” he said. “If we really extend operating hours, but there is little traffic, resources have been wasted.”

But the immigration officer promised to monitor the situation.