HKSAR gov't issues amber outbound travel alert on France

In view of the latest situation in France, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government on Saturday issued an amber Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) on France.

"Residents who plan to visit France or are already there should monitor the situation, exercise caution, attend to personal safety, avoid travelling to places of large gatherings of people and pay attention to advice of the local authorities. Hong Kong residents should avoid non-essential travel to Paris and the Ile de France area," a government spokesman said.

The Security Bureau will closely monitor the situation there. Any update will be issued through the media and the Bureau's OTA webpage www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota.

Residents who need assistance while outside Hong Kong may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit (AHU) of the Immigration Department at (852) 1868, or contact the Chinese Embassy in France at consular protection hotline: (33) 615742537.

In addition, Hong Kong residents are encouraged to use the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information (ROTI) service (www.gov.hk/roti) to register their contact details and itinerary when outside Hong Kong. The information provided allows the AHU of the Immigration Department to disseminate practical information to them through appropriate means, including SMS on mobile phones on a timely basis when necessary.

French President Francois Hollande declared a state of emergency across the country and the borders were to be closed following the attacks which killed at least 120 people overnight Friday. Endit