Taiwanese traveling abroad during the Lunar New Year holiday should remember that Hong Kong and Macau are still under an “orange” travel alert, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday, adding that people should not attempt to take pepper spray or other personal protection items forbidden in the territories.
The “orange” travel alert advises Taiwanese against taking nonessential trips to China or its territories.
The alert was raised from “yellow” to “orange” in June last year following Beijing’s announcement of penalties for “Taiwanese independence diehards.”
Photo: Wu Shu-wei, Taipei Times
Hong Kong and Macau forbid travelers from bringing pepper spray, stun guns and other electroshock devices, brass knuckles, switchblades and other folding knives, retractable batons, and e-cigarette devices, the MAC said.
The territories have implemented new restrictions in the past few years that could threaten a traveler’s individual rights or safety, it said, adding that people should visit the Web sites of the Hong Kong Police Force, Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, and Macau Customs Service to familiarize themselves with the regulations.
They should also visit the MAC’s Web site (www.mac.gov.tw), which has a section on emergency service information for those traveling to China, Hong Kong or Macao.
The council also advised people to register with the MAC before traveling to China or its territories.
Should a Taiwanese traveler encounter an emergency situation in Hong Kong or Macau, they should contact the MAC Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hong Kong using its 24-hour hotline: 852-6143-9012 or its Macau office at 853-6687-2557, it said.
Officials at these offices would seek to help protect Taiwanese’s personal rights and safety, it said.
Additionally, as African swine fever remains a serious threat, Taiwanese travelers are forbidden to bring back or import almost any meat product from land animals to Taiwan.
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