Google, Lenovo and other big names in tech announced Thursday, December 23, that they are canceling their attendance at the renowned Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, which is scheduled to be held Jan. 5-8, s’ adding to the list of those absent frightened by the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.
The Silicon Valley company and the Chinese computer maker had to resolve to avoid exposing their employees and visitors to their booths to possible coronavirus contamination. “After careful consideration, we have decided to refrain from any presence among the exhibitors at CES 2022”, a Google spokesperson said. “We have closely monitored the evolution of the Omicron variant and have decided that it is the best choice for the health and safety of our teams”, he explained.
For its part, Lenovo announced on Twitter that it “Suspended all activity” on the site of the show in Las Vegas, while the American manufacturer of microprocessors Intel has indicated that it will be content to make its presentations online at CES, “ with on-site staff reduced to a minimum ” in order to limit the risks.
Fast and free screening tests
The most well-known annual consumer electronics show is currently being continued. It must always be preceded by two days reserved for the media. On Tuesday, companies such as Facebook’s parent company Meta, as well as Amazon, T-Mobile and Twitter had already pulled out of the event. The main specialized media, in particular CNET, The verge and TechCrunch, have also decided not to send reporters, raising doubts about the actual holding of the show given the rapid spread of the Omicron variant in the United States.
Last week, organizers announced the presence of more than 2,100 exhibitors, who will be offered rapid and free screening tests. On the CES website, they recall the conditions for participating in the show: “You MUST be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to collect a badge and access CES in person in Las Vegas. “
Another major conference, the World Economic Forum (WEF), which was scheduled to meet January 17-21 in Davos, Switzerland, was “Postponed” because of the Omicron variant, organizers announced on Monday. The meeting – which brings together the worlds of business, politics and diplomacy – should be held ” at the beginning of summer “. By January 2021, CES and WEF were held online.