Canadians advised to 'exercise a high degree of caution' in Hong Kong as escalating protests continue

As protests continue to escalate in Hong Kong, Canadians are being warned about travelling in the region, according to the federal government.

The Canadian travel advisory, that was updated Wednesday morning, warns Canadian travellers to ‘exercise a high degree of caution in Hong Kong due to ongoing large-scale demonstrations.’

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In addition to being cautious at all times, Canadian travellers are told to monitor local media, avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings take place, and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Additionally, Canadian travellers should check their flight status and the latest information provided by their airline before heading to the airport.

It’s also recommended that travellers plan to arrive at the airport well in advance of their flight’s planned departure and go through Security and Immigration immediately upon arrival.

Pro-democracy demonstrators and police have clashed violently in the past few days after protesters flooded Hong Kong International Airport, cancelling all flights in or out for two days.

The large-scale demonstrations first began in June, and have taken place on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon, and in various suburbs in the New Territories in addition to the airport.

Although many of the protest sites are made public in advance, the Canadian government says they can also take place with little or no notice, and can quickly spread to surrounding areas.

This means security in these areas can change quickly and acts of violence may occur, especially at night.