Want to go to CES 2022? Make sure you have proof of vaccination

After being forced to cancel its in-person event this past January, CES 2022 is planning to provide a return to some type of normalcy. However, as the country (and world) begins to deal with a Delta variant causing a rather large uptick in COVID-19 cases, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has announced a major change. As of now, CES 2022 is not cancelled, however, if you want to attend the event you will need to provide proof of vaccination.

The announcement came as part of a press release detailing what to expect from the event that is currently planned to take place between January 5th and January 8th, 2022. The CTA also confirmed there will be a digital event that “will run in parallel with the in-person program”. Here’s a quote from Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CTA, as to the reason for the announcement:

“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.”  

For those who do not have proof of vaccination, the CTA is considering alternative methods for being able to still attend the event. This could include a “proof of a positive antibody test”, which is essentially a negative COVID-19 test. However, the CTA was not ready to confirm this as an alternative requirement for being able to attend the event.

As for the other changes that the event organizers are making, many are just as you would expect. These include a mask mandate (per Las Vegas regulations), along with adhering to social distancing practices. The CTA is also planning to increase the width of aisles for easier navigation, while adding both sanitation stations and on-site medical aid.

We’re still a few months away so things could definitely change. However, it’s great to see the CTA being proactive as it attempts to bring CES back to an in-person event.