About 21,000 Mainlanders travelled to Hong Kong individually yesterday, Director of Immigration Lai Tung-kwok says. More are expected in the next couple of days.

Speaking on a radio talk show today, Mr Lai said most of the Mainlanders passed through immigration points at about 6pm and 7pm.

To handle the influx, the Immigration and other Government Departments have set up a command post to monitor the situation.

Close liaison with the Guangdong Provincial Tourism Administration will also be maintained to watch visitor flow. Visitor figures will be released on the department's and the administration's websites.

Mr Lai said to handle the increasing number of visitors, the department aims to implement the Automated Passenger & Vehicle Clearance Systems in phases from the end of the year.

Noting that funds for the systems have been approved by the Legislative Council, Mr Lai said the contract will be awarded soon.

Mr Lai said the systems will support self-service immigration clearance by Hong Kong permanent residents holding smart identity cards. The system will cut clearance time of travellers and vehicles.