Hong Kong permanent residents aged 11 or above and holding smart identity cards can use the automated passenger clearance auto-gate at the China Ferry Terminal departure hall from today.

The e-channel is open 9am to 5pm daily. The Immigration Department will review the operating situation with a view to extending the opening hours and increasing the number of e-channels.

If people's thumbs are unclean, too dry or too moist, the scanner's ability to read the thumbprints will be affected. Thumbs should be cleaned before the person enters the e-channel. If it is too dry, a wet tissue should be used to dampen it. If the thumb is too moist, it should be wiped with a dry tissue.