Despite the ongoing pandemic and surge in omicron-variant COVID-19 cases, the Consumer Electronics Show 2022 in Las Vegas has decided to carry on. It has good reason to, as well. Despite some high-profile partners stepping back due to health and safety concerns, over 2,200 exhibitors still plan to participate in the in-person CES 2022 convention. CES has, at the very least, acknowledged the threat of the COVID-19 outbreak, announcing on Saturday that it plans to end the event a day earlier than expected.
CES 2022's in-person convention was initially announced to run from January 5 through January 8. With today's announcement, CES 2022 will now end of January 7, though it will still open on January 5 as planned. The reason for the change, according to CES organizers, is for an "additional safety measure."
CES also points out that it has existing Health Protocols in place for its in-person convention. These Health Protocols include requiring proof of full COVID-19 vaccination in order to acquire a convention badge. Additionally, masks will be required for all in-door events at CES, though they remain optional outside. CES will also be providing all attendees a self-test kit alongside their badge, as well as in-person testing for those experiencing symptoms while attending CES or who need a test to return to an international destination.
Suffice to say, CES is doing about as much as a convention can without completely disrupting the event. However, it should also be clear to attendees that these Health Protocols aren't going to fully protect people from COVID-19, especially given the rapid spread of the omicron variant of the virus. Attendees will be responsible for their own health and safety, when it comes down to it.
An explanation isn't provided for why three days of in-person convention will better than four, but part of it can likely be assumed. Those exposed to COVID-19 can become contagious and start showing symptoms in as short as two days. Shortening the event will decrease the likelihood of attendees catching and spreading COVID-19 while still at the event, or at least will minimize the visibility of the spread.
Those across the tech and gaming industry have long been hopeful that CES 2022 would be a return to pre-pandemic conventions. It could now turn into a stark reminder of the threat of COVID-19 and the need to remain diligent. Regardless, the show goes on.