Covid-19 vaccination required for CES 2022 entry, CTA confirms

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has announced that attendance to the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) will require proof of Covid-19 vaccination.

The event, which has not taken place since 2020, will be staged as per usual in Las Vegas on January 5-8 2022.

The CTA said that it will run a digital event in parallel with the in-person show promising that “digital audiences will have the opportunity to share the spirit of the in-person event.”

The company also said that it is also assessing the acceptance of proof of a positive antibody test as an alternative requirement, but details on whether this will be implemented will be revealed at a later date. 

The US is currently battling a fourth wave of Covid-19 infections, with a number of states already surpassing their previous peaks. Currently 51.5% of the adult population is fully vaccinated, translating to approximately 169 million people. 

Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA, said: “Based on today’s science, we understand vaccines offer us the best hope for stopping the spread of COVID-19. We all play a part in ending the pandemic through encouraging vaccinations and implementing the right safety protocols. We are taking on our responsibility by requiring proof of vaccination to attend CES 2022 in Las Vegas.”

CES is one of the world’s largest consumer tech trade shows, and has been staged for over 50 years. The 2022 event will highlight advancements in AI, AR/VR, gaming and computing, digital health, automotive and transportation, home entertainment, smart home and more.