Eighteen immigration auto-gates at Lo Wu control point will be providing smooth and efficient traveller clearance during the Easter holiday.

Also known as e-channels, the gates were first launched at Lo Wu departure hall in December. Nine more were opened in the arrival hall on March 21. Eighteen are now in operation, nine in each direction, from 8am to 10pm daily.

Hong Kong smart identity card holders, aged 11 or above, can use the e-channels to perform self-clearance.

Up to March 23, more than 680,000 people had used the e-channels at Lo Wu. Most were able to place their thumbs flat on the centre of the scanner and pass through the e-channel smoothly.

The Immigration Department said the scanner's ability to read thumb or fingerprints will be affected if users' appendages are too dry or too moist. A moist or dry tissue should be used to clean them before scanning.