The government on Thursday announced that multiple border control points will extend their operating hours on New Year's Eve.

In a statement, the interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements said the changes were made in view of a series of countdown events.

The government had "reached a consensus with the relevant departments of Guangdong Province and Shenzhen Municipality to make...special boundary-crossing arrangements...to facilitate cross-boundary passenger and vehicular movements", the statement said.

One of the changes will see Shenzhen Bay Port – which usually closes at midnight – operate overnight.

The government has also worked with cross-boundary bus operators to arrange additional services using the Shenzhen Bay Port during early-morning hours on New Year's Day.

And the Lo Wu control point will extend operations until 2am. Services on the MTR's East Rail Line will be extended correspondingly, with the last train from Admiralty to Lo Wu departing at 12.56am.

"The HKSAR Government will closely monitor the situation and take contingency actions promptly where necessary and deploy manpower flexibly to ensure orderly operations of the border control points", the statement said.

"The government has formulated contingency plans for the peak periods of cross-boundary travel and made preparations for preventive and control measures to cater for different scenarios," it added.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port will maintain 24-hour operations as usual.