Joint exercise at Lo Wu Control Point held to cope with power supply and system network incidents (with photos)

The Immigration Department (ImmD) held a joint exercise at the Lo Wu Control Point (LWCP) today (October 9) with the Hong Kong Police Force (Police), the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department (Customs), the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), the Transport Department (TD), the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) and CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP), which was supported and assisted by relevant Mainland authorities. The exercise simulated scenarios of power supply and system network incidents at the LWCP Hong Kong Port, in which contingency measures were taken by relevant parties immediately to ensure the operation of the control point in a safe and orderly manner.

Over 150 staff members were mobilised in the exercise to simulate scenarios of a large number of passengers performing immigration and customs clearance at LWCP during the power supply and system network incidents. In response to the incidents, the ImmD, the Police, Customs and the MTRCL set up a joint command centre at the LWCP to make necessary arrangements and co-ordinate the work of relevant parties. In addition, officers from various departments on the Hong Kong side and the Mainland counterparts launched the co-ordination mechanism and maintained prompt and close communication.

After the occurrence of the simulated power supply incident, the EMSD immediately deployed staff to make an assessment at the scene and provided assistance while CLP arranged for a mobile generator vehicle to arrive at the scene for providing an emergency back-up power supply. In the light of the incident, the TD and the MTRCL reviewed and adjusted the train service to and from the LWCP. The Police maintained public safety and order, implemented crowd management and evacuation measures, and assisted departing passengers in need to leave the LWCP or use other control points.

Through the exercise, government departments and relevant parties could test their response capabilities under different scenarios, with the aim of enhancing co-operation and communication between various parties during large-scale incidents. Relevant government departments will continue to maintain close ties with various stakeholders, periodically review contingency mechanisms for major incidents, enhance co-ordination with different parties as well as improve overall response capabilities to ensure safety and order at control points in case of emergencies.

To avoid congestion and a longer than usual waiting time for immigration clearance during emergencies, residents and passengers can check the estimated waiting time at each land boundary control point via the Immigration Mobile Application (ImmD Mobile App), such that their travel plans via unaffected control points can be made. The ImmD Mobile App can be downloaded free of charge from the Apple App Store (supports iOS version 11.0 or above), Google Play (supports Android version 8.0 or above), Huawei AppGallery (supports Android version 8.0 or above) or with the APK file from the ImmD website. Passengers can scan a QR code (see Annex) or visit the ImmD website (www.immd.gov.hk) to download the app.