CES 2022: AMD, P&G Join Google and Others in Opting Out of Event Over Omicron Fears

Advanced Micro Devices, Micro-Star International, and Procter & Gamble are the latest companies to withdraw from attending the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in person next month as Omicron cases surge.

The rapid spread of the new coronavirus variant has forced individuals and companies across the United States to rethink their travels plans as they look to lessen the risk of contracting the virus.

Airlines such as Delta Air Lines and Alaska Air Group have cancelled hundreds of flights, while the surge in new infections has also threatened to derail a recovery in the cruise industry.

CES, which serves as an annual showcase of new trends and gadgets in the technology industry, is expected to have more than 2,200 in-person exhibitors this year at Las Vegas.

The event, starting January 5, will require all attendees to be masked and vaccinated, and also offer COVID-19 tests, a spokesperson for Consumer Technology Association, the event organiser, said.

"Our in-person engagements will now transition to virtual in the best interest of the health and safety of our employees, partners, and communities," an spokesperson for chip designer [AMD] said.

Several others, including US automaker General Motors, Alphabet's Google, Facebook parent Meta Platforms, Twitter, Lenovo, AT&T, and Amazon have dropped their in-person attendance plans, saying they would not send employees out of caution over the spread of Omicron.

The average number of new COVID-19 cases in the United States has risen 55 percent to over 205,000 per day over the last seven days, according to a Reuters tally.

© Thomson Reuters 2021