COVID-19: Karnataka High Court Asks State If It Has Given Permission For NEOCON-21 Conference Expecting 3K Medical Professionals

A division bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum said,

"The additional government advocate may seek instructions as to whether any permission has been sought by organisers to convene the conference and whether any measures have been taken by the state government to ensure the adherence of SOP for Covid-19."

The direction was given while hearing a petition filed by one doctor.

Advocate Shridhar Prabhu, appearing for the petitioner, argued that NEOCON-2021 is scheduled to be held from 16 to 19th December, 2021, at the Golden Amoon Resort, Hoskote, Bengaluru, where over 3,000 medical professionals are supposed to be physically present at one time.

Prabhu contended that, "The doctors from all over the country as well as from neighbouring countries have been invited to this conference. In the current scenario of Omicron variant threat of Covid-19, this conference can become a super spreader event and in case any doctor in this conference is found covid-19 positive then entire gathering will have to be quarantined which will also include paediatricians. It would adversely affect the existing medical facilities in the hospitals in the state and these doctors would not be available to attend their patients."

Further it was said that the Government of Karnataka has issued an advisory dated November 28, regarding postponing of social, cultural and academic events in all educational institutions. Thus such large gatherings shall not be permitted by the state government which will be against the public interest.

The plea prays for directions to the respondents to not allow respondent no 5 (National Neonatology Forum) to hold the conference in physical mode.

The state has been asked to respond in the matter by December 17.