Organizer Consumer Technology Association plans to hold CES electronics show as a physical event in January next year. However, there will be wider corridors and other measures to be able to keep distance between visitors at all times.
The plan is also that visitors must wear masks and the policy will be not to shake hands, according to CTA. The organizer also wants to adjust the layout of the exhibition halls to allow for social distancing: this will create more space in the aisles and between seats during presentations. In addition, there is more cleaning and CTA is considering introducing a temperature scan at the entrance.
The measures are intended to prevent the coronavirus from spreading on the trading floor. Because tens of thousands of people come to a fair, who also often stand and sit close to each other, it is considered a place where a virus can easily spread. Since the cancellation of the telecom fair Mobile World Congress, all major tech fairs have been canceled due to the outbreak of the virus.
In addition to the physical version, there will also be more digital presentations and live streams for people who want to follow the fair from another location. It is unknown whether companies will want to send their people to major events again in January and whether the measures are sufficient to prevent or contain a possible outbreak. The next tech fair to take place is on the calendar for September. However, the IFA in Berlin will be a small event, with about a thousand invited guests.
CES 2020 in January this year