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Pre-Conference Registration is available online
Onsite Registration to open on Sunday, 6 May 2012
The Conference and Exhibition will run concurrently

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Zambia added to list of countries requiring Yellow Fever vaccination

26 August 2011

South Africans travelling to Zambia will now be required to have a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate following a global Yellow Fever risk assessment conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Zambia`s status has been classified as a low risk. However, as Yellow Fever is vaccine preventable, and travellers to and from countries with a low risk of transmission still risk contracting or importing Yellow Fever into South Africa, the Department of Health in South Africa has updated the Yellow Fever vaccination policy to include Zambia.

The new policy will be effective from 1 October 2011. From this date, a valid Yellow Fever certificate will be required for travellers over 1 year old:

• travelling from Zambia, or
• having been in transit through a Yellow Fever risk country including Zambia.

Yellow Fever is an infectious vector-borne disease that is caused by a virus. It is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito vector.

Prevention of yellow fever in South Africa

Yellow fever is an infectious vector-borne disease that is caused by a virus transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito vector such as Aëdes aegypti. South Africa has a risk of introduction of the disease as the mosquito vector exists in the country.

The South African Department of Health would like to inform you of the amendments to the yellow fever vaccination policy for travellers coming from yellow fever risk countries. Travellers from countries with low risk of yellow fever transmission still pose a risk of yellow fever importation into South Africa. Therefore South Africa has reviewed its yellow fever vaccination requirements policy, which will be effective from 1 October 2011.

As of 1 October 2011, all travellers from and to Zambia, in addition to the list of yellow fever risk countries below, will be required to show proof of yellow fever vaccination (unless in possession of a valid waiver certificate).

South Africa requires a valid yellow fever certificate from all citizens and non-citizens over one year of age:

• travelling from a yellow fever risk country (including low risk countries such as Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia); or
• having been in transit through a yellow fever risk country.

The above requirements are in line with the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005). The IHR requires countries at risk of yellow fever introduction to employ the following measures:

1. To obtain vaccination certificates from individuals travelling from areas determined by the WHO to be at risk of yellow fever transmission. As a result, South Africa will exercise the following measures for all travellers from yellow fever risk countries, who are unable to produce a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate at the port of entry:
   • refuse entry; or
   • quarantine until their certificate becomes valid, for a period of not more than six days; or
   • those with an exemption certificate due to medical reasons will be :
     • allowed entry
     • required to report any fever or other symptoms to the health authorities
     • be placed under surveillance.

   NB: Definition of a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate - vaccination should be approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and administered at a Yellow fever-approved vaccination centres at least
   10 days before departure to South Africa. The vaccine offers protection
   10 days after administration. If vaccination is administered less than 10 days before departure, the above-mentioned measures will be applied.

2. Disinfection of aircraft, ships, tyre casing consignments and other modes of transportation coming from yellow fever risk countries.

List of countries for which a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into South Africa.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is a city of culture, built on a history that is reflected in its architecture, cuisine, music and dance. Together with a warm summer, temperate winter climate and a friendly community, Cape Town is an ideal destination throughout the year.

Cape Town is often described as the Mother City of Africa and the Western Cape is an area which is regarded as one of the most beautiful regions in the world. The City is a rare cultural gem, resulting from the amalgamation of Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German settlers, the local Bushman and Hottentot tribes and the Bantu tribes from the north.
The impressive presence of Table Mountain, flanked by the legendary Devil's Peak and historical Signal Hill stands proudly above the city. Beautiful white sandy beaches along a peaceful coastline frame the Cape Peninsula, which is famed for its unique floral kingdom, bountiful rivers, dams and magnificent countryside. The surrounding area extends far into the winelands which is green in summer and red-gold in autumn.

Cape Town boasts a multitude of entertainment, ranging from outdoor activities and adventures in the sun to a varied exciting night life. The vast range of shopping opportunities includes haggling with shop holders at Greenmarket Square Flea Market, as well as breezing through sophisticated and stylish shopping malls. The huge variety of restaurants reflects the multicultural history of the Cape and caters for everyone's taste, from fast-food outlets and casual to the chic and sophisticated.

Cape Town provides a setting for many scenic wonders, magnificent seascapes and panoramic vistas. The beautiful coastal areas of Camps Bay, Clifton, Llandudno, Bantry Bay, Hout Bay and Blouberg surround the breathtaking tranquility of the winelands, Constantia, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek.
 

Cape Town International Convention Centre

The center has been meticulously designed with absolute respect for the end- user and the most modern amenities and technology are mandatory ingredients. From major medical and scientific conventions hosting thousands of delegates to consumer exhibitions and trade shows, the CTICC's extraordinary adaptability makes it accommodating and accessible.

The CTICC's commitment to professionalism is complemented by the destination's service standards and sophisticated infrastructure. Its dedicated team is enhanced by the excellent reputation of its operating company, Amsterdam RAI , which has extensive international experience in all facets of the facility's operation.

Visit the CTICC's Website

Please note that, with immediate effect, anyone travelling to South Africa must have two consecutive blank pages in their passport, which lie side by side when the passport is open (i.e. left and a right hand page). Passports must also be valid for at least six months. Passengers travelling to South Africa with passports which do not comply with these requirements, will either be stopped from boarding the aircraft or risk deportation on arrival in South Africa.

In addition, a parent travelling with children, without the other parent, will need a letter of consent from the absent parent. The police must certify the letter of consent.

Visas

Visas are not required for citizens of most European countries and many other countries. A valid passport is required. A list of countries that currently do not require a visa can be found at the South African Government website. Participants requiring a visa for entry into South Africa are strongly advised to make their applications in their home countries at least three months before their intended date of travel. For more information please contact your nearest embassy or South African Consulate or consult your travel agency. Delegates wishing to travel to South Africa's neighboring countries and back to South Africa are advised to apply for a multiple-entry visa. Passengers travelling to South Africa are required to have a minimum of two blank pages in their passports to enable the issuance of an entry visa. If there is insufficient space in the passport, entry will be denied and the passenger is likely to be detained pending return to their country of origin. Perhaps this is the time to renew those almost-full passports!

View Route Map from Airport to CTICC

GPS Coordinates for CTICC:
Degrees, Minutes, Seconds
33°54'57"S , 18°25'34"E
Degrees, Decimal Minutes
33°54.955'S , 18°25.573'E
Decimal Degrees
33.915925°S , 18.426212°E

Airline Links

For more information on transport in and around the Cape Town CBD, please access the following links:
Be advised that it shows the exact routes the bus operates and which hotels it passes. Some won't have stops directly outside your hotel.

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/MyCiti/Documents/TableView_small.pdf
http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/MyCiti/Documents/CentralCity_small.pdf

Safety and Security

Like many major cities, Cape Town has both good and bad areas. It is advisable when walking in Cape Town, particularly at night, that one should be aware of people around you, and ideally you should not walk alone but in a group. Ostentatious displays of wealth should be avoided, and it is not advisable to look like a typical 'tourist' with many cameras strung around your neck. Do not leave valuables unattended.

Weather

Due to its coastal position, Cape Town enjoys a temperate Mediterranean-type climate for most of the year. Summers can be very hot, although often moderated with a cool sea breeze, and mid-winter can be very cold with snow falling in the surrounding mountains. However, whichever time of year you choose to visit Cape Town, expect a surprise or two - Cape Town is known to have four seasons all in one day.

The main rainfall occurs during winter, particularly July and August although regular showers occur from mid-May through to end of September. From September through to end of January Cape Town is notorious for its south-easterly wind. Those whose main aim is sight-seeing should visit from mid-September to mid-May.
Find out more about S.A Weather.
 

VAT

Value Added Tax (VAT) at the rate of 14% is levied on most goods and services and is included in the display price of most goods. International visitors are encouraged to keep their slips as they can reclaim VAT on goods (not services) priced higher than R250.00 at the airport on departure, some harbors and at Customs Offices.

Health

There are no compulsory vaccination requirements for persons entering South Africa. However, certain areas of the country, including the North-Eastern half of KwaZulu-Natal are Malaria regions. Being July and mid-winter, these areas will be low risk but we still have to advise that if you anticipate travelling to a malaria area it is recommended that you take prophylactics before arrival and the necessary precautions while in the area (e.g. protective clothing, insect repellents). South African doctors and dentists are highly trained and hospitals are well equipped. It is strongly advised that delegates take appropriate health insurance prior to their departure. Yellow fever infected countries require inoculations to enter South Africa, i.e. Brazil, certain South American neighbouring countries and central Africa.

Time Difference

South Africa operates two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time throughout the year, making it an hour ahead of Central European Winter Time and seven hours in advance of Eastern Standard Winter Time.

Currency

Currency in South Africa is the Rand, denoted by the symbol R, with One Rand (R1) made up of 100 cents. Foreign currency can be exchanged at local banks and bureau de changes. All major credit cards such as American Express, Bank of America, Diners, Master Card, Visa and affiliates, are accepted in most places in South Africa. Generally, credit cards are not accepted for the purchase of petrol. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) offer a complete 24-hour service. Machines displaying international credit card logos can be used with the respective credit cards.

Useful Websites

Cape Town International Convention Centre: www.cticc.co.za
Currency Converter: www.xe.com/ucc/
Cape Town Routes Unlimited: www.tourismcapetown.co.za
SA Tourism: www.satourism.co.za

Local Conference Secretariat
The Conference Company
Tjiger Park 3, Office 103
Willie van Schoor Avenue
Bellville, Cape Town
South Africa
7530
Tel: +27 21 914 2751
Fax: +27 21 914 5493
info@wisa2012.org.za
Natalie@confco.co.za