CES 2022 kicks off in Las Vegas amid COVID-19 surge

06 Jan 2022 04:13am

Attendees arrive at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the 2022 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, Jan 5, 2022. The annual CES, taking place from Jan 5-8, 2022, is a place where industry manufacturers, advertisers and tech-minded consumers converge to get a taste of new innovations coming to the market each year. Attendance is expected to be lower than previous years due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. (Source: EPA/CAROLINE BREHMAN)

LAS VEGAS, US - The 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) kicked off in Las Vegas on Wednesday amid another surge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The world's premier tech show, scheduled from Jan. 5 to 7, drew more than 2,200 exhibitors and hundreds of thought leaders.

Attendees and media representatives from 159 countries have registered their participation at CES 2022, according to the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), organizer of the CES.

Digital health is expected to be a hot topic at this year's show as COVID-19 still poses severe threat to the world.

The show will also feature a plethora of exhibitors advancing two of the most compelling technology megatrends of the future, intelligent automation and the evolution of the metaverse, according to the CTA.

The event is held both in person and virtually. Organizers have shortened the in-person event by one day, ending on Friday instead of Saturday.

A digital stream of the event will give access to more than 50 keynote sessions for those choosing not to travel to Las Vegas.

The CTA had taken enhanced health measures in face of the surge of COVID-19 cases. Full vaccination is required for all participants and mask wearing is compulsory indoors.

All badge holders were given a complimentary antigen self-test kit. The CTA encouraged attendees to test less than 24 hours before entering a venue. Enditem