Authorities have announced an extensive traffic and crowd-control plan for the 30 September National Day fireworks rehearsal and the main show on 1 October, a first since large-scale pyrotechnics returned to the harbour last year. Road closures along both sides of Victoria Harbour started at 6 p.m. on 30 September, affecting sections of Gloucester Road, Salisbury Road and the Central-Wan Chai Bypass. The MTR Corporation has extended service hours on the Tsuen Wan, Island and East Rail lines, while the Express Rail Link will run late-night shuttles to Futian until 1:00 a.m. Cross-boundary bus operators have synchronised schedules so that the HZMB “Golden Bus” departs every minute and the Huanggang shuttle every two minutes immediately after the fireworks, preventing backlogs at the Hong Kong port. Additional quotas have been granted to franchised coach operators serving tour groups staying in Macau or Zhuhai. Event organisers estimate more than 300,000 spectators will line the waterfront, including thousands of business visitors attending concurrent trade fairs at the Convention Centre. Employers with offices in the harbourfront precinct have been advised to implement flexible dismissals or remote work on 1 October to minimise overlap between commuter and tourist traffic. Law enforcement agencies will operate a joint command post, deploying crowd-management barriers and surveillance drones. Police have reminded visitors that drones are prohibited within a two-kilometre radius of the firing barges, and offenders face confiscation and fines under the Air Navigation Order.
Source: HK Han Times
