Majuli, the world’s largest river island, will remain cut off because of suspension of ferry services to contain Covid-19.

Majuli deputy commissioner Bikram Kairi on Saturday said passenger ferries connecting Jorhat and Lakhimpur districts have been suspended with immediate effect but ferries for emergency medical services and transportation of essential goods are ready so that the island’s residents face no hassle.

He said a sizeable number of youths from Majuli have been returning home from across the country over the past few days. “We have home-quarantined these youths and are extensively campaigning for social isolation,” he said.

Kairi said every organisation, agency and individual was helping them to the best of its capacity and seven quick response teams are monitoring the situation round the clock. “We are prepared for any situation,” he said, adding that they would resume passenger ferry services as soon as the situation turns normal.

An inland water transport department source said except Neematighat in Majuli and Guwahati-Umananda services, other ferry services, including Dhubri and Silchar, were operating as usual. “Medical teams are screening passengers of certain ferries but overall screening is yet to be launched,” he added.

A transport department meeting chaired by transport minister Chandra Mohan Patowary here said ferry staff and commuters have been provided hand sanitisers.

Public announcement systems have been installed at ferry ghats on coronavirus precautionary measures.