CES organizers will require negative COVID-19 tests for early show arrivals from China, Hong Kong, Macao

Organizers of the four-day CES trade show will require an extra layer of testing for COVID-19 for some of the more than 100,000 attendees expected at the event next week.

The Consumer Technology Association announced Thursday that it will require a negative COVID test for participants arriving from China, Hong Kong or Macau between Jan. 1-4.

The requirement is an additional protection for exhibitors and show attendees before the show begins. CES takes place from January 5-8 at several convention sites in Las Vegas, but there are many pre-show events leading up to opening day.

The association said Thursday it expects a third fewer Chinese delegates to CES than in years before the pandemic, but did not say how many people from the region are expected to arrive.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that starting January 5, travelers to the US from China, Hong Kong and Macau will be required to present proof of a negative test for COVID-19 to their airline before boarding ,” a representative told the association in an emailed statement.

“In light of this announcement, CES will also require exhibitors and attendees traveling from China, Macau, or Hong Kong and arriving in the U.S. January 1-4 to ensure upon receipt of the CES Badge a negative test for COVID-19, received within the last. 48 hours.”

The association said it would offer free COVID-19 antigen tests in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“Additionally, we encourage all attendees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu before arriving at CES. On site, rapid test kits will be available and we encourage masking. CES 2023 will also be a more intangible experience. We want CES 2023 to be a welcoming environment for all of our attendees,” the association said in a statement.

The Chinese central government has recently relaxed its strict zero-COVID policy, but this has left some health experts worried as it is reported that COVID-19 is still spreading within the country.

The US government indicated it would accept arrivals from China starting Jan. 5 if travelers carried travel documents and stamped passports.

The CTA issued the following guidelines for clarity:

— For persons arriving from China, Hong Kong and Macao before December 31, no testing is required. Attendees may proceed to the South Hall of the Convention Center or the Venice Expo Customer Service Center with proof of arrival to receive a CES badge. Proof of arrival includes travel documents, stamped passports and hotel receipts that include the person’s full name.

— For persons arriving from China, Hong Kong or Macau January 1-4, testing is required. Testing options accepted by CES include PCR and antigen tests from a US or Canadian testing provider if the test is administered within 48 hours of receiving the badge with documentation that includes a person’s full name and the date the test was administered.

— Free rapid antigen testing, administered by a health professional, is available in the South Hall of the Convention Center beginning at 7 a.m. on Jan. 2; or paid PCR and antigen tests from a testing site in Las Vegas, including at Harry Reid International Airport. Documentation must include the full name and date the test was administered, and test results can be presented at the badge pickup counter in South Hall or at the Customer Service Center at The Venetian Expo.

— For persons arriving on or after January 5, no screening is required and attendees may proceed to the South Hall of the Convention Center or the Venice Expo Customer Service Center with proof of date of arrival to obtain a badge. Proof of arrival includes travel documents and stamped passports.

CTA has a website for questions about testing protocols at https://www.ces.tech/logistics/in-person/health-protocols.aspx.

Contact Richard N. Velotta at [email protected] or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on Twitter.