LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Amid concerns about the spread of COVID-19, many big tech firms have canceled in-person presence at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to protect their employees.
The world's premier tech show is scheduled from Wednesday to Friday in Las Vegas. As the Omicron variant rages across the United States, several firms decided to join the show virtually for health and safety reasons.
"After closely monitoring the current trends surrounding Covid, it is in the best interest of the health and safety of our employees, customers, partners, and our communities to suspend all on-site activity in Las Vegas," Lenovo announced in a tweet.
The list of no-show tech giants, according to media reports, also includes Intel, Microsoft, Google, T-Mobile, Amazon, smartphone manufacturer OnePlus, PC manufacturer Micro-Star International (MSI), and chipmaker AMD, among others.
"The health and well-being of our employees, customers and fans are our top priority. Hence, we have decided not to participate in-person at CES 2022 and will join the show virtually with our online product launch," MSI announced on its website.
Similarly, AMD also made an announcement about the decision, saying that "AMD has decided to cancel our in-person presence at CES 2022 in Las Vegas and will instead transition to a virtual experience ... in the best interest of the health and safety of our employees, partners and communities."
Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile, had been booked as a keynote headline speaker at CES 2022, but the company canceled his keynote and announced that it would "significantly limit" in-person participation at the conference.
The United States shattered a single-day record with over 1 million COVID-19 cases on Monday amid the rapid spread of the Omicron variant and government decisions to ease prevention and control measures in the country.
However, the organizer of CES, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), has announced that over 2,200 other companies have confirmed their in-person presence.
Several heavy-weights, including Qualcomm, Samsung, HTC and Sony, are still hoofing it to Las Vegas, according to media reports.
"As the world's most influential technology event, CES is steadfast in its pledge to be the gathering place to showcase products and discuss ideas that will ultimately make our lives better," Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the CTA, affirmed in a press release.
"We are shortening the show to three days and have put in place comprehensive health measures for the safety of all attendees and participants," said Shapiro.
The CTA has instituted a proof of COVID-19 vaccine policy for all attendees, encouraging everyone to get a booster shot and to take a COVID-19 test before they reach the convention. Meanwhile, all attendees will be required to wear masks indoors at the convention. ■