16 Hong Kong e-channels speed up National Games athletes’ entry to 7 seconds

National Games athletes will be able to enter and depart Hong Kong in seven seconds flat, using 16 dedicated e-channels across four checkpoints, the Immigration Department has announced.

This marks the first time visitors will have access to the contactless immigration clearance channels in Hong Kong.

Director of Immigration Benson Kwok Joon-fung said on Monday that his department estimated around 5,000 people from various delegations would enter the city via these dedicated clearance lanes during the Games next month.

“Registered athletes and relevant personnel will be able to cross the border without having to use any physical identity document, instead using facial recognition technology [that completes clearance] in seven seconds,” Kwok said.

The National Games, to be held between November 9 and 21, will have Hong Kong hosting eight sports – fencing, men’s under-22 basketball, track cycling, golf, men’s handball, rugby sevens, triathlon and beach volleyball.

The city will also host segments of cross-border events in men’s road cycling and the marathon.