The Centre on Thursday said the months of September and October will be crucial in pandemic management and cautioned that festivals be celebrated in accordance with COVID-appropriate behaviour.

Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, “The second surge is not yet over and therefore, we have to maintain all necessary precautions, particularly in light of our experience that after every festival we see a spike. The months of September and October are crucial for us because we would be celebrating a few festivals. Thus festivals have to be celebrated with COVID-appropriate behaviour.”