Should I stay or should I go - Hong Kong [protests]

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Just noticed that dfat have raised it to "high degree of caution".
 
harvyk said:
Just noticed that dfat have raised it to "high degree of caution".
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I was days away from travel to a country that had a similar warning issued. I rang my travel insurance company and asked how my policy would cover this. Had a very interesting answer.

I couldn't claim any refund for cancelling as no official "do not travel" warning had been issued. However If i did travel and had to change my plans due to any incidents, then they would not cover this also as a warning had been issued.

Needless to say I never took out insurance with that company again.
 
smartraveller.gov.au

Hong Kong

Australian Government travel advice for Hong Kong. Learn more about local safety, laws and health risks.
smartraveller.gov.au smartraveller.gov.au
As @SeatBackForward has just written, check with your travel insurance company about the effect of the Smart Traveller advice.

This sentence from the site is particularity applicable to @nickykim
"The risk is greater at night and on weekends."
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noting her travel will be over a weekend.
 
My sister in-law in NZ is from Hong Kong, so if things really were a problem I would be able to access someone local (her sisters) who help I’m sure. I’ve emailed my insurer to see what they have to say...
 
The updated travel advice for Hong Kong is the same level DFAT issues for France, Turkey, Thailand, Indonesia, and many others. Not much to worry about IMO.

If the PAP or PLA cross the border in large numbers..... that would be interesting.
 
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SeatBackForward said:
I couldn't claim any refund for cancelling as no official "do not travel" warning had been issued. However If i did travel and had to change my plans due to any incidents, then they would not cover this also as a warning had been issued.

Needless to say I never took out insurance with that company again.
Click to expand...

I'd think that probably applies to most insurance companies, although they might word it differently. If you decide to cancel when a warning is issued they will cover you, but if you decide to fly anyway, you're not covered once the warning is issued. You are assuming the risk in the latter situation.
 
amaroo said:
The updated travel advice for Hong Kong is the same level DFAT issues for France, Turkey, Thailand, Indonesia, and many others. Not much to worry about IMO.

If the PAP or PLA cross the border in large numbers..... that would be interesting.
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How large is the PLA Hong Kong garrison?
 
Pleb Status said:
I am in HKG at the moment and today is no different to any other day I have experienced here over the years.

I flew in yesterday and the only noticeable differences were very slow baggage reclaim on CX (which may be normal as I normally fly in on SQ) and most retail shops were closed. Food stores (Wellcome etc) were open, along with most restaurants etc.

The local media highlighted where the 'trouble spots' were so they were very easy to avoid. Use common sense and you will be fine...

I have a week planned here at the end of September and things would have to escalate significantly before I would consider any changes.

An easy one, but where am/was I?
View attachment 180357
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Stanley?
 
One of the issues is that now the local police are pitted against other local protestors and they have been firing rubber bullets etc.
If the PLA is ordered to go out and help the police, they will. Whether they would be ordered to do that by China is a much bigger complicated issue.
The riots are still pretty localised and it would not be hard for visitors to avoid them. They are mostly dangerous at night and weekends.
 
harvyk said:
Just noticed that dfat have raised it to "high degree of caution".
Click to expand...

1000's more die in the USA every year from violence, mass shootings etc.
Ever wonder why five eyes never put their own countries on the lists?

The OP: If you're in hkg for a sleepover and nothing more - change your booking to Regal @ the airport so you avoid the MTR.
 
harvyk said:
Agreed, that reason alone is part of the reason why I'm still going. Figured the US normally is more dangerous than HKG right now and I don't have any qualms going to the US.
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Fortunately in HK you will only get shot with a rubber bullet whereas in the US you get shot with a lead bullet !

Interesting numbers:
Firearms were used to kill 13,286 people in the U.S. in 2015
Firearms were used to kill 2 people in HK in 2015

Know the numbers are a few years ago but it provides some relevance when comparing countries.
 
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I have been to HK 4 times this year and my last visit I was actually in the immigration building in late June when the protesters apparently swarmed all over Wan Chai / causeway Bay / Central. Apart from a bit of a crowd forming at the pedestrian causeway over Gloucester Rd preventing me from crossing for 5 mins all was ok

It didn't impact anything I wanted to do and they didn't worry me one bit, in fact, later on that Friday night a few of the protesters were having a quiet beer or 2 at the watering holes on Lockhart Rd 🍻

So my response would be go ahead and enjoy your trip
 
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