CES 2022: Google cancels its attendance at the technological event due to the risk of the coronavirus

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the latest edition of the major Consumer Electronics Show technology fair was held in a fully digital format, with presentations and demos streamed online.

However, given the progress of the vaccination process in various parts of the world, the event organizers made the decision to return to the presence for CES 2022, which will have the participation of more than 2,200 exhibitors from different areas.

Although there are several companies that have confirmed their attendance, more and more companies choose not to attend in person. This week, Meta, Twitter, Amazon, Lenovo, Intel, General Motors, among others, announced their withdrawal due to the increase in COVID-19 cases.

Now, Google is the last to join the list. In a statement shared by communications director Ivy Hunt, the tech giant announced its decision to cancel its participation in person at CES 2022 and instead hold a virtual exhibition.

“After careful consideration, we have decided not to be present at CES 2022. We have closely monitored the development of the omicron variant and have decided that this is the best option for the health and safety of our teams,” he explained.

“We will continue to work closely with both CTA and our partners to identify and support virtual opportunities, and we look forward to sharing the latest Google innovations with all of you,” the company concluded.

Response from the CES organizers

Faced with this worrying situation, Gary Shapiro, director of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), pointed out that the objective “continues to be to convene the technology industry and give those who cannot attend in person the possibility of experiencing the magic of CES digitally”.

“Given the comprehensive health measures of the CES (vaccination requirement, use of mask and availability of COVID-19 tests), along with lower attendance and social distancing measures, we are confident that attendees and exhibitors can have an event socially distanced, but valuable and productive in Las Vegas, or while experiencing it online,” he noted.