The border crossing between Macau and mainland China’s Hengqin Island will start operating round-the-clock on December 18, Macau’s government spokesperson Alexis Tam Chon Weng announced on November 20.

At the same time, the opening hours of the Gongbei Border Gate, the main crossing point between Macau and Zhuhai, will be extended by two hours, Mr Tam said.

China’s State Council has already approved the new border opening times.

Currently Cotai’s Lotus Bridge crossing to Hengqin Island is open from 9am to 8pm seven days per week.

The Gongbei Border Gate land route to Zhuhai is open from 7am to midnight seven days per week. From December 18, that border will be open from 6am to 1am the next day, said the government’s spokesperson.

There will also be changes to the opening times at the Zhuhai Macau Cross-border Industrial Park crossing point. From December 18 it will be opened to Macau residents, mainland workers and students between the hours of 7am to midnight. Currently the checkpoint can only be used by those working at the industrial park.

Macau will open more immigration channels at the three border crossings and allocate more staff to deal with the expected increase in the number of people crossing, Mr Tam told reporters.