CES 2022: Microsoft latest company to pull out of annual tech expo

Microsoft became the latest big tech company to drop out of next month's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) physically because of worries about the spreading Omicron coronavirus variant, the Verge reported on Friday.

Microsoft joins other firms, including General Motors Co and Alphabet Inc's Google and its self-driving auto-technology company Waymo, Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc, Twitter Inc, Lenovo Group, AT&T Inc and Amazon.com Inc, which  will not attend CES in person in Las Vegas in early January due to rising COVID-19 infections sparked by the fast-spreading Omicron variant.

The company decided not to participate in-person after reviewing the latest data on the COVID-19 environment, the Verge reported, citing a company spokesperson.

Microsoft did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

CES officials on Thursday said the event will still be held in person January 5-8 with "strong safety measures in place", which include vaccination requirements, masking and availability of COVID-19 tests.

Microsoft will have a digital presence for both the Microsoft Partner Innovation Experience and Automotive Press Kit, according to the Verge.