[IPC-GNSO] ICANN's Travel Notes for ICANN59 Johannesburg

[Greg Shatan]

All,

Here are the notes that ICANN sent to "supported travelers".  Others
traveling to Jo'burg should find them useful as well.

*NOTES: *



ICANN will implement a 24/7 Health and Safety Center (HSC) providing
resources on the ground to help with any security or medical questions,
concerns and incidents. Contact information for the HSC can be found in the
Emergency Numbers

section below.



*BEFORE YOU TRAVEL*



*MEDICAL*

Before traveling, consult with a travel health professional about any
medical preparations required, including vaccinations. See the CDC website
for more information about recommended vaccinations for travel to South
Africa. Additionally, a yellow fever vaccine is required for anyone coming
from or traveling through WHO-designated yellow fever countries.



Make sure that you have an adequate supply of any regular medications. Work
with your health

professional to determine if your medications are available in South
Africa, and if not, any alternate medications you can take if your
medications are lost or stolen. Always carry your medications in your
carry-on baggage.



*PASSPORT*

Make color copies of your passport and visa (if applicable) and carry them
with you. Keep originals in a safe location at all times. It's also a good
idea to leave a copy with someone at home.



*STAYING IN JOHANNESBURG*

OR (Oliver Reginald) TAMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (JNB) OR Tambo
International Airport (JNB) is situated in Kempton Park in Gauteng near
Johannesburg and is the largest airport in Africa. It is the hub for most
international and domestic travel from and within South Africa. The airport
is roughly 13 miles (21km) east of the city center. Both the international
and domestic terminals are well policed and unauthorized personnel are
restricted from entering the building. Airport facilities include banks,
shops, car rental outlets and an express train into the city. Due

to security concerns, it is not recommended to use ATMs at the airport. For
more information about moving between the airport and the hotels, see the
Transportation section below.



*EMERGENCY NUMBERS*

Fire/Police/Ambulance: 112 or 10111

Country Code: 27



*ICANN Health and Safety Center:*

• Main Line: +1 424 488 6710 <(424)%20488-6710> (INTERNATIONAL DIALING)

• Local Line: 72 617 6702 (FROM LOCAL PHONE) / +27 72 617 6702
<+27%2072%20617%206702> (INTERNATIONAL DIALING)

• Email: Meeting-Assistance at icann.org



*LANGUAGE*

There are 11 official languages in South Africa, but English and Afrikaans
are most commonly used throughout the country. The vast majority of South
Africans speak English – especially hotel and service staff.



*MONEY*

South Africa’s currency is the rand (ZAR or R). Banks typically offer the
best currency conversion rates, though using a hotel or exchange desk may
be more convenient. Banks and most major hotels accept traveler's checks.
Bank/credit cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are widespread. However, it
is strongly recommended to use ATMs only in secure locations (see the
Financial section of General Travel Safety Guidance below). Most
establishments accept major credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, and
American Express. Please note that some vendors may not accept cards that
do not have a security chip.



*TIPPING*

Tipping is common in South Africa. Service staff generally expect a tip of
10-15% or as travelers deem appropriate.



*TRANSPORTATION*

The Gautrain (pronounced how-train), a high speed rail line, links OR Tambo
Airport to the Sandton suburb (approximately 25-minute ride), with a
station approximately 1km from the Sandton Convention Center. The train
service is modern and efficient, running every 12 minutes during peak
hours, and includes plenty of room for riders with luggage. A shuttle runs
continuously from 06:00 to 21:30 each day between the Sandton station and
the Sandton hotels listed on the ICANN59 Meeting website.



The shuttle pickup point is on the PT (Public Transport) Level of the
station. Gautrain cards can be purchased at a station using cash or
credit/debit card, except American Express. This is the most preferred,
reliable and fastest method of transport between the airport and the hotels.

The alternative mode of transport from the airport to the hotel is a
pre-booked, private car service through ICANN’s contracted Destination
Management Company (DMC), details of which, such as the custom email
address for booking requests, can be found on the ICANN59 Meeting website.



Hotel or DMC-organized cars are the preferred methods for everyday travel
throughout the city. These can be ordered beforehand through the hotel
reception or the DMC desk at the venue. While locals frequently use taxis
and Uber, there are risks associated with these services and they are
therefore not recommended. These include petty crime, and sometimes
confrontations between taxi and Uber drivers stemming from competition over
passengers.



For more information, please visit: https://meetings.icann.org/en/
johannesburg59#transportation



*SECURITY OVERVIEW*

Johannesburg (colloquially known as Jo'burg or Jozi) is the largest
commercial, financial, and industrial center in southern Africa.



The Sandton Convention Center, the attached hotels, and the Sandton City
mall complex (including Nelson Mandela Square) are all secure and offer a
vast array of restaurants, shopping, and entertainment options. The Hyde
Park and Rosebank areas are also generally safe and contain a number of
excellent restaurants. It is strongly advised that attendees prefer these
venues for lunch and evening events. The DMC has also suggested a range of
restaurants within these areas for which reservations can be made, space
permitting. Additionally, ICANN Health and Safety personnel will be
available in these areas to provide assistance as needed.



*GENERAL TRAVEL SAFETY GUIDANCE*

Each traveler is responsible for their own safety during any trip abroad.
The following guidance is intended to help improve situational awareness
and reduce travel risks.



*Pre-Travel Preparations*

• Consider vacuum-wrapping/locking luggage where local regulations permit.

• Keep all valuables in your carry-on luggage.



*At the Airport*

• Keep an eye on your belongings as you move through the airport. Avoid
offers from strangers to carry your bags.



• Avoid offers to hail a taxi or car on your behalf. Follow signs to the
Gautrain station – see the Transportation section for more information.



• When you reach the arrival terminal, orient yourself quickly and move
with confidence. The

ICANN assistance desk is located just to the right after you exit customs
and walk into the arrival terminal.



*Moving Around*

• As when traveling to any foreign country, maintain situational awareness
and pay attention to

your surroundings to minimize travel risks.



• Avoid outward displays of wealth such as watches, bags, jewelry, etc., or
frequent display or use of your smartphone.

• Avoid walking alone; move in groups whenever possible.



• Maintain heightened security awareness in touristic sites and crowded
transit facilities to deter opportunistic crimes such as pickpocketing or
bag snatching. Keep your belongings on or with you at all times.



• While walking around, remain alert and undistracted, especially by your
cell phone. Pay attention to your surroundings, especially when walking on
the street.



• Carry a cell phone with useful and emergency contact numbers, including
the ICANN Health and Safety Center numbers (see above). This information is
also printed on the back of your

registration badge.



• When in a car, keep the windows rolled up and remain alert, especially at
traffic lights or stops. Keep valuables such as cell phones, jewelry, and
hand bags out of sight.



• Never get into a taxi that already has a passenger, or allow your taxi to
pick up additional

passengers en route.



*Financial*

• Use ATMs within secure locations, such as the Sandton City mall (attached
to Convention

Center) instead of ATMs on the street. This will decrease the likelihood of
card skimming and

robbery. We strongly advise against using ATMs at the airport, on the
street, or in small shops.



• When using your credit/debit card at shops or restaurants, maintain
visibility of your card at all times to minimize fraud opportunities.



*GOVERNMENT TRAVEL ADVICE*

• We encourage you to refer to your countries’ traveler advice resources,
where available, such

as:



https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/south-africa.html

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa/safety-and-security
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