25th Conference of Regional Commission for Africa

Bemvindo, bienvenue, welcome

This information sheet is intended to inform you of the necessary preparations before your travel and of what you can expect once you have arrived in Gaborone.

Online registration of all participants is compulsory and shall be done by 28 December 2022 at the link provided in the invitation letter.

ACCOMMODATION

The accommodation of participants will be arranged at the Grand Palm Hotel (Peermont)

All participants are personally responsible for the payment of the accommodation as well as other expenses, either at check-in and/or at check-out. If you have registered for the Conference using the link provided in the invitation letter, a reservation has been transferred to the hotel.

For specific queries, feel free to contact Ms Nomsa Thekiso ([email protected], office telephone: +267 3914424 and mobile +267 71734008) in Gaborone, Botswana.

There are also a few (20) rooms available at the Metcourt Inn Hotel, adjacent to the GICC, at a negotiated rate of EUR 82 per night.

AIR TICKETS

The World Organisation for Animal Health – WOAH, (founded as OIE) will cover travel costs (economy class with the most direct route) for funded participants and speakers. The regional office in Gaborone will purchase air tickets for international flights and send all relevant details to the e-mail address provided by participants in their online registration form.

Please note that, by accepting their flight itinerary, participants agree to cover any charges and fees resulted from modifications requested for personal reasons after the issuance of the ticket.

Any sponsored participant wishing to purchase – for exceptional reasons – his/her air ticket by him/herself, must compulsorily inform WOAH in advance, providing the provisional booking/invoice before confirming the flight reservation. In this case, and in addition to the beforehand formal agreement with WOAH, the original of both ticket invoice and boarding passes will be required for reimbursement of the economy fare.

FOREIGNERS seeking to enter the Republic of Botswana should be in possession of :

• Valid Passport. The passport must have left validity of at least six months and more with at least three or more unused pages.
• Recently taken photo in JPG format not bigger than 30Kb in size
• All supporting documents must be in English and uploaded as ONE Pdf file not bigger than 5Mb in size
• Copies of required documents must be certified.
• The portal currently accepts VISA/MasterCard for payment. The card must be enabled for online payment.

In addition VISITORS require :

• Invitation letter from the host (will be provided by the organising committee)
• Certified copies of marriage/Birth Certificate for spouse and dependents
• Certified copies of host National Identity Card/ Residence and Work permit/ Exemption Certificate.
• Certified copies of Ordination Certificates from Religious Leaders if invited by a church
• Return VISA or Residence permit from country of residence
• For unaccompanied minors (less than 18 years), travelling without biological parents, consent letter from both parents is required.
• Return ticket
• 300 Botswana Pula for single entry for a period up to 3 months. This is currently approximately EUR 23 or USD 22.
• 500 Botswana Pula for multiple entry for a period up to 3 months. This is currently approximately EUR 40 or USD 39.
• 1500 Pula for multiple entry for a period over 3 months up to 2 years for dependants of residents. This is currently approximately EUR 120 or USD 117.

and TOURISTS require:

• Tour plan or copy of travel schedule
• Flight bookings
• Confirmation of bookings at hotel/lodges
• RETURN TICKET
• 300 Botswana Pula for single entry for a period up to 1 months. This is currently approximately EUR 23 or USD 22.
• 500 Botswana Pula for multiple entry for a period up to 3 months. This is currently approximately EUR 40 or USD 39.

In order to apply and pay online, you will be required to create a user account : botswana-evisa (gov.bw)

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

The WOAH Sub Regional Representation for Southern Africa will, with the support of the Government of Botswana, organise transfers from/to the airport (Sir Seretse Khama International Airport – SSKIA) and the Peermont  / Grand Palm Hotel for all participants booked at this hotel (or at the Metcourt Inn).  After exiting the customs at the arrival hall, please look for the meeting person holding the placard “WOAH ”.

Participants booked elsewhere are kindly invited to contact WOAH Sub Regional Representation for Southern Africa for additional information on how to reach the meeting venue.

CURRENCY

The national currency, Botswana Pula (BWP) is used for all transactions in Botswana.  In December 2022, EUR 1.0 was traded for  BWP 13.7  and USD 1.0 was traded for BWP 12.9. Electronic payment systems are widely available in retail and hospitality businesses, and so are banks and ATMs.

MEETING VENUE AND LANGUAGE

The meeting will take place at the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) at the Grand Palm (Peermont) Hotel where many of the sponsored participants and speakers will be staying. The meeting will be held in English as the main working language, with simultaneous interpretation to French.

HEALTH  ADVISORY

COVID-19

Current requirements for entering Botswana

1. If you are fully vaccinated a negative PCR test is not required. You will be considered fully vaccinated if you meet any of the following criteria: a)  Received 2 doses of a 2 dose primary series vaccine and not yet due for booster shot. b)  Received 1 dose of a single dose primary series vaccine and not yet due for booster shot. c)  Received 2 doses of a 2 dose primary series vaccine and booster shot. d)  Received 1 dose of a single dose primary series vaccine and booster shot.
2. If you are partially vaccinated having received 1 dose of a 2 dose primary series vaccine and are not yet due for a 2nd dose, then a negative PCR test is required.
3. If you are partially vaccinated having received 1 dose of a 2 dose primary series vaccine and are due for a 2nd dose, then a negative PCR test is required, and the 2nd shot of the vaccine will be administered at the port of entry.
4. If you are partially vaccinated having received a full primary series vaccine and are eligible for a booster dose, then a negative PCR test is required and a booster shot will be administered at the  port of entry.
5. If you are unvaccinated a negative PCR test is required and 1 shot of a primary series of vaccination will be administered at the port of entry.

Please note that for those not fully vaccinated, vaccination is conducted at all ports of entry.

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In general, malaria prophylaxis is not necessary if you sojourn in Gaborone.

WEATHER AND CLOTHING

February is summer in Botswana! The climate in Gaborone during February can be summarized as hot and a little damp, it is  typically the 3rd warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a warm 32°C (89°F), whilst at night 19°C (66°F) is normal.

Please note that during the Conference, the organisers of this event will be taking photos which will be published on their website(s).  By appearing in the (group) photos, you give WOAH permission to capture, reproduce and communicate your image worldwide via its websites. If you do not agree to the terms of this photo rights release, you may refrain from appearing in the group photo.  A form will be presented for your approval at the entry of the meeting room on day 1.

By participating in this event, you also agree to its video recording by WOAH to assist in the preparation of the meeting report.

USEFUL CONTACTS

The organising committee remains at your entire disposal for further questions and assistance.

For any query on the organisation please contact Ms Nomsa Thekiso ([email protected], Office telephone: +2673914424 and mobile +26771734008) in Gaborone, Botswana.

We are confident that you will enjoy a pleasant and interesting stay in Botswana and look forward to welcoming you soon.

DISCLAIMER

While the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) believes the information it provides on this webpage to be reliable, WOAH does not make any warranties or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information provided in this webpage. Reliance upon the information shall be your responsibility. Under no circumstances shall WOAH be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of the information on this webpage.

This document may contain links and references to third-party websites. The linked sites are not under the control of WOAH, and WOAH is not responsible for the content of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site. It is your responsibility to evaluate the content and usefulness of information obtained from these third-party websites.