Officials of the southern island province have asked people not to leave their homes from 10pm to 4am starting Tuesday in order to prevent Covid-19 transmission.

Phuket governor Narong Woonciew made the request after chairing a meeting of the communicable disease committee at city hall on Monday.

He said the committee issued the stay-home request because some people were continuing to gather in groups to drink or for other activities during the period, posing infection risks.

The request would remain in effect until further notice, the governor said.

Dr Koosak Kookiatikul, Phuket’s health office chief, said the province's accumulated total was 438 cases as of Tuesday with 15 to 20 new infections being added daily.

Regarding testing, Dr Koosak said about 260 sea gypsies at Rawai Beach had been tested for Covid-19 and none were found to be infected. The provincial health office would also conduct more tests in tambon Choeng Thale and the Tha Chatchai area on Tuesday and in Ko Sire and Kathu on Thursday.