HK's travel alert system comes into effect

The outbound travel alert system came into effect on Tuesday, as an effort to help Hong Kong residents better understand the risks to their personal safety in traveling overseas.

"Outbound travel is a personal decision, but the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government encourages Hong Kong residents to make reference to the system before firming up their travel plans," the Security Bureau of the Hong Kong government said.

The Security Bureau said the system, using amber, red and black to differentiate between different levels of risk, will cover 60 countries and regions which are the more popular travel destinations for Hong Kong people.

An amber alert will be issued to remind people to exercise caution when there are signs of threat in a place that may affect personal safety. Amber alerts have been issued for Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand and Turkey.

A red alert means there is a significant threat, and travelers should adjust their travel plans and avoid non-essential travel to the place. When there is a severe threat, a black alert will be issued and people are urged to avoid all travel to that place.

No red or black alert is now in force.

Source: Xinhua