The Immigration Department today said it estimates that around 10.03 million passengers will pass through Hong Kong's sea, land and air control points during the upcoming National Day festive period from September 28 to October 7.

In consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit & Entry Frontier Inspection, the department added that it estimates around 8.54 million passengers will transit through land boundary control points.

The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points will be relatively higher on October 1, with around 523,000 and 632,000 passengers respectively.

Passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point is expected to reach a daily average of about 208,000 passengers, while the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point are forecast to handle around 185,000 and 118,000 passengers respectively.

To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during the festive period, the department has minimised leave for frontline officers for the flexible deployment and operation of extra clearance counters and kiosks. Additional security guards will also be deployed to provide crowd management support.

Apart from setting up a joint command centre at the Lo Wu Control Point with Police, Customs and the Mass Transit Railway Corporation to closely monitor passenger conditions, the department will establish close communication with Mainland authorities.

Appropriate traffic diversion plans will also be adopted when necessary to ensure a smooth passenger traffic flow.

Travellers are advised to plan in advance and avoid making their journeys during busy times.

They can check the expected busy times at boundary control points on the department's website and find the estimated waiting times at all land boundary control points via its app.