More tech companies are pulling out of next month’s CES gadget show in Las Vegas because of rising COVID-19 cases with the emergence of the omicron variant.
BMW, IBM, Panasonic and Mercedes are the latest to announce they will skip the in-person version of the event, which opens Jan. 5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and other sites.
Others that pulled out last week include AT&T, Microsoft, General Motors, Google, Twitter, TikTok, Amazon, T-Mobile and Pinterest.
Those backing out today echoed the reason of the others, including IBM, which said in a statement that “due to the evolving COVID conditions — and out of an abundance of caution — IBM has recently decided not to participate on-site in Las Vegas this year. We do still look forward to participating virtually.”
The show still plans to go on as scheduled.
Attendees must be fully vaccinated, produce a negative COVID test within 24 hours of picking up a convention badge and wear a face mask, officials said. Exhibitors will also receive free COVID testing kits.
Officials say they are monitoring health guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nevada and Clark County, and will adjust as necessary.
The event in a typical year boasts 170,000 conventiongoers. Last year, it was held online because of the pandemic.