A total of 8.85 million passengers are expected to pass through land, sea and air control points during the National Day holiday and Mid-Autumn Festival, 10% more than the same period last year, the Immigration Department says.

Between September 30 and October 12, about 3.4 million passengers - an average of about 262,000 daily - will pass through Lo Wu. For inbound traffic, the busiest day is expected to be October 4, when about 196,000 passengers will arrive. Outbound traffic will be heavy on October 1, with about 206,000 people leaving Hong Kong.

Lok Ma Chau will also be busy with a forecast of about 1.43 million passengers, a daily average of 110,000. The busiest day there will be October 3 when both arrivals and departures will be heavy.

The department has suspended leave for staff working at control points and has arranged for extra officers during the period. Additional security guards will also provide crowd management.

For closer co-operation and co-ordination, the Immigration Department, Police, Customs & Excise Department and MTR Corporation will set up a joint command centre at Lo Wu control point.

Passenger traffic on October 1 and 4 will be very heavy. The department has called on passengers to avoid the peak periods in the morning and evening. Daily passenger statistics from September 30 to October 12 will be uploaded to the department's website.

Hong Kong residents who require assistance while travelling outside Hong Kong may call the department's 24-hour hotline, (852) 1868.