Australian Consulate-General
Hong Kong, China
Address: 23/F Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong - Tel: +852 2827 8881 - Fax: +852 2585 4457

Media Release

4 May 2009

Influenza A(H1N1):
Australians in Hong Kong & Macau encouraged to register

Australians in Hong Kong and Macau are being encouraged to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in order to help consular staff provide assistance in the event of a wider influenza pandemic.

Whether living in Hong Kong or Macau, or travelling for business, registration helps Department staff find Australians who may be caught in any kind of emergency.

Australian consular officials in several countries are currently helping Australians affected by Swine Influenza, either through possible exposure to the virus or who are under quarantine.

Acting Consul-General, Mr David Livingstone said many Australians choose not to register because Hong Kong and Macau are safe places in which to live.

“It is extremely rare that we need to contact Australian citizens but there are clearly circumstances where this may be necessary,” he added.

Registration of Australians is a simple process which can be done online or at the Australian Consulate-General.

“We’ve already alerted those Australians who are registered to be aware of their personal safety and to follow the advice of local authorities,” said Mr Livingstone. “Knowing who is living here or travelling through the region makes the task of helping Australians in emergency situations much easier.”

There are an estimated 60,000 Australians living in Hong Kong and up to 1500 live in Macau.

Mr Livingstone pointed out the information gathered through registration is protected by Australian privacy laws.

The Australian Government is also regularly reviewing its travel advice to countries with confirmed cases of Swine Flu. The website address is:
www.smartraveller.gov.au

For online registrations, Australians should visit:
www.orao.dfat.gov.au

CONSULATE-GENERAL MEDIA CONTACT:
Mr Gavin McDougall Tel: +852 2585 4418 or 6473 8885
Ms Simmy Lam Tel: +852 2585 4482 or 9211 8937

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