Macao's security, telecommunications, fire prevention and power supply departments have taken up measures to ensure the smooth running of the major handover-related activities, the handover and swearing-in ceremonies in particular.

The Macao security departments will send some 3,700 policemen and 400 marine and customs policemen to tighten up on security during the handover period.

Security restrictions will be imposed on certain road sections from 7:00 a.m. December 13 to 1:00 p.m. December 20. Commercial activities in the security zones are required to suspend from 2:00 p.m. December 18 to the midnight of December 20.

At the beginning of this month, the Fire Brigade sent its staff and fire engines to stand on the around-the-clock duty at two main venues for handover-related activities, according to a spokesman of the Macao Fire Brigade.

A general test will be conducted over fire prevention facilities equipped at the handover venues before December 20, the spokesman said, adding that its 700-plus staff members will all be on duty on December 19-20.

The Macao Telecommunications Company has sent all of its staff to serve the press and the security forces working for the handover. The company has expanded the telecommunications network, installed some 2,000 telephones and seven satellite ground stations, and set up a service center at the press center to provide 24-hour services for the press.

The company will also cooperate with the China Telecom network to broadcast live the handover ceremony on the Internet.

Macao's electricity supply company has made up insurance packages and pledged normal power supply at the handover venues.