General Information
We trust that the following information (in alphabetical order) will assist you in organizing your registration and stay in Maputo.
Abstract submission
Accommodation
Badges
Bank and Currency
Certificate of Attendance
Climate
Conference Language
Conference Venue
Disclaimer
Electrical power
Health
Information at Venue
Information on Mozambique and Maputo
Invitation letters
Liability and Insurance
Local Time
Meeting venue
Organizing Secretariat
Payment and Procedure of on-line registration
Photographs, audio and video recording
Program schedule
Related meetings & events
Security, Health and Safety
Social Events
Sponsors
Transport to Maputo, Mozambique
Transportation hotel – conference center – hotel
Vaccinations
Visa
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General information
Abstract submission
Abstracts can be submitted until 26 March 2010. Please refer to the Abstract Submission page for information about abstract submission.
Accommodation
Accommodation is not included in the registration. However, accommodation at special conference rates can be booked in the Southern Sun Hotel and Cardoso Hotel through the registration page on this website.
For your convenience we present a list of hotels that can be contacted directly for room reservations.
|
Rate indication |
Hotel | Distance to Conf. Center | Contact for reservations |
| 150 - 200 USD | Hotel Avenida | approx. 15 min. by taxi | contact |
| 100 - 150 USD | Hotel Girassol Bahia | approx. 15 min. by taxi | contact |
| Hotel VIP Maputo | approx. 15 min. by taxi | contact | |
| 50 - 100 USD | Hotel Tivoli | approx. 20 min. by taxi | contact |
| 50 - 100 USD | Hotel Turismo | approx. 20 min. by taxi | +258 21 35 2200 |
| Hotel Terminus | approx. 15 min. by taxi | contact | |
| Hotel Monte Carlo Maputo | approx. 20 min. by taxi | contact | |
| Pestana Rovuma Hotel | approx. 20 min. by taxi | contact | |
| Residencial Kaya Kwanga | approx. 10 min. by taxi | contact | |
We strongly advise you to book as early as possible to ensure accommodation. It is possible to book additional nights prior to and after the conference, based on availability (limited capacity).
To ensure your transportation from the hotel to the conference center, please email the hotel you choose to stay at to anna-marie.loeff@vironet.com.
Badges
All participants (and accompanying persons during the social events) are kindly requested to wear the badge at all times during the conference.
Bank and Currency
1 Euro = 41,021.3 Mozambique Metical (20 November 2009)
1 US Dollar = 27,520.0 Mozambique MeticalATMs (Bancomat) are widely available. Credit cards are accepted in larger shops, restaurants and hotels. Please note that credit cards are not accepted in taxi's.
Certificate of Attendance
A certificate of attendance can be picked up at the registration desk on Saturday 29 May.
Climate
In May the average daytime temperature ranges from 21° C and 26° C / 71° F
and 80° F.
Conference Language
The official conference language will be English. For local visitors simultaneous translation into Portuguese will be provided during all conference sessions.
Joaquim Chissano International Conference Centre, Maputo, Mozambique
Av. da Marginal 51- Maputo Mozambique
Telephone: +258 21 48 63 95/ + 258 21 48 70 31
Fax: +258 21 48 70 27
E-mail: cicjc@minec.gov.mz
Website: http://www.cicjc.gov.mz/index_eg.html
Disclaimer
This workshop is intended for educational purposes only and aims to offer participants the opportunity to share information. The Organizing Secretariat of this workshop, Virology Education, cannot accept any liability for the scientific content of the sessions or for any claims which may result from the use of information or publications from this workshop.
Virology Education disclaims all liability for injuries or losses of whatever nature incurred by individuals attending the workshop.
Electrical power
Electric Power is 220V running at 50Hz. The Plug types used in Mozambique are :
Round pin attachment plug
"Schuko" plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts
"South African" Plug (found especially near the border with South Africa, Maputo) - view
Visitors using foreign appliances with incompatible plugs or electrical needs must bring an adaptor and/or a voltage converter.
Health
We advise participants to drink water from sealed bottles, which will be provided by the conference center and hotel.
Information at Venue
A message and information board will be situated next to the Registration Desk.
Information on Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique (Portuguese: Moçambique or República de Moçambique), is a country on the Indian Ocean coast of Southern Africa. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Tanzania to the north and has inland borders with Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Swaziland. Mozambique's eastern coastline along the Indian Ocean is more than 1,000 km long, a fantastic draw for scuba divers, fishermen, sailors and beach lovers. It is a member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries and the Commonwealth of Nations. Maputo has been the capital of Mozambique since 1898. The name of the city was Lourenço Marques until the independence of the country, in 1975. It is the largest city of Mozambique also with the country's most important harbour. It is situated at the mouth of the Santo River in the extreme south 90 km from the border to South Africa.
Compared to some other sub-Saharan African cities the urban area feels small and concentrated with wide avenues and old trees. People are generally out and about in the streets, walking driving and getting on with life. The vibe is healthy and active, with little begging and lots of street vendors and markets. There is no heavy presence of police during the day.
For more extensive general information on Maputo, Mozambique refer to the official website of http://wikitravel.org/en/Maputo
Invitation letters
Official letters of invitation, designed to help overcome administrative difficulties in certain countries will be sent on request. They will be extended only to researchers and clinicians actively participating as investigators in the field of HIV HIV Treatment, Pathogenesis and Prevention Research, with preference accorded to doctoral and professional degree level researchers and clinicians. The letters do not represent a commitment on the part of the organization to provide any financial assistance. Delegates who wish to apply for an invitation letter should indicate so in the Remarks-section of the registration form. Letters of invitation can only be sent after payment has been received and confirmed by the credit card company.
Liability and Insurance
By registering for the conference participants agree that the organizers do not accept responsibility for medical-, travel- or personal insurance. Participants are advised to take out their own insurance policies.
Local Time
Mozambique is two hours ahead of GMT
Meeting venue
The meeting will be held in the Joaquim Chissano International Conference Centre. Situated in the Avenida da Marginal, near Maputo Business Centre (3km) and the International Airport (7km). Please find image of conference center below.
Organizing Secretariat
Virology Education
Biltstraat 106
3572 BJ Utrecht
P: +31 30 230 7140
F: +31 30 230 7148
E: info@virology-education.com
The registration fee of individual participants can be paid only via credit card. Your registration will be processed after receipt of payment. Payment can be processed either on line or by fax authorization. The applicable registration fee for payment (i.e. the amount you need to pay) is determined by the date your credit card information is received at the Secretariat. If payment or credit card information has not been received within 2 weeks of the online registration the registration will be cancelled without further notice.
Photographs, audio and video recording
We do not permit recordings of official meeting sessions either via photograph or other audio/video recording devices. Only the official medical writer appointed by the organization may make recordings.
All presentations will be posted on our website www.HIVpresentation.com as soon as possible after the meeting is finished, provided the speaker has given permission to do so.
Program schedule
The conference will start on Tuesday 25 May 2010 and will finish on Friday 28 May 2010. The program will be finalized as soon as possible after abstract review.
Registration fee, criteria and cancellation conditions
Registration for the conference is possible from 1 February 2010 until 14 May 2010. Individuals hoping to register after 14 May 2010 will only be able to do so on site (25-28 May). For further information, fees and on-line registration please go to the registration page of this workshop.
Related meetings & events
For the organization of meetings and events with topics related to this workshop we kindly request you to contact the secretariat.
Security, Health and SafetyPlease wear your name badge for all workshop activities, as it is your identification and allows you access to the facilities on offer. While the conference centre is on a secure site and not open to the general public, it is still necessary to take care of bags, personal computers and other personal belongings.The organisers cannot accept any responsibility for losses incurred or for personal health and safety.Delegates should ensure that they have personal health insurance and take due care when exploring the city of Maputo. Any special needs or requirements should be notified to the Conference Secretariat as far in advance of the event as possible.
Social Events
A dinner has been organized for Thursday evening, 27 May.
Participation is only possible after registration and appropriate payment has been received. On site registration for the dinner is not possible.
Sponsors
Our program is being made possible by the financial support of the pharmaceutical industry and governmental institutions. Interested parties are kindly requested to contact Alice Posthumus-Plantinga at: alice.posthumus-plantinga@vironet.com
Transport to Maputo, Mozambique
By Plane
Most international flights arrive from South Africa, although direct international routes also exist between Mozambique and Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya and Portugal. There are several flights daily from Johannesburg to Maputo, operated by South African Airways (SAA) and the Mozambican flag-carrier Linhas Aereas de Moçambique (LAM). These and other airlines such as Kenya Airways , Swazi Express Airways, TAP Portugal also fly from Durban, Swaziland, Dar es Salaam, Harare, Nairobi and Lisbon. In addition, local carrier Air Corridor may start operating one or more international routes soon. There are also several flights during the week from Johannesburg, Dar es Salaam, and Nairobi to Pemba in the North, operated by either South African Airlink (SAA) or LAM. TAKE NOTE: LAM is known to cancel bookings, do confirm your flight at least 72 hours before departure. After checking in you need to get a tax stamp on your boarding card. For internal flights the tax is 200 Mts and for International flights 500 Mts to be paid in cash.
By Train
From Malawi
There is only one train line in Mozambique, which connects Nampula with Cuamba (near the Malawi border). The train carries first, second and third class passengers and is usually packed.From Nampula, the train leaves around 5-6AM, although you should arrive earlier to buy tickets from the booking office at the station. The area is packed with people traveling towards Malawi so expect queues. Once on board the journey is long and slow but fairly efficient and will get to Cuamba mid-afternoon. From here chapas will take you to the border (Entre Lagos) as only freight trains use this bit of the line. Be warned that even hardened African travelers will likely find this stretch of road very rough - expect it to take a fair amount of time.
Once at Entre Lagos, the border formalities are located within the station building (easy to find as the town is a typical small border town). The process can take some time as this is a little used crossing. From here it is about a 1km walk to the Malawi side of the border. BE WARNED - the Malawi border closes before the Mozambique one, although there is a guesthouse if you get trapped. The easiest way to get from here to Liwonde is by train - sweet-talk the guards and they may let you share their compartment.
From Johannesburg
The highway from Johannesburg to Maputo is very good. From Johannesburg, take the N4 towards Nelspruit. From Nelspruit, continue following the N4 to Komatipoort, the last town on the South African side. Just past Komatipoort is the Lebombo/Ressano Garcia border post. NB: current car registration papers (or good facsimile thereof) are required to get a car past the border. If you are not the owner of the car, you will need a letter of permission from the owner. On the Mozambican side, just follow the N4 (now called EN4) for a further 100 km or so to reach Maputo.There is another border crossing at Giriyondo. From the South African side, the access is via the Kruger National Park and takes one past Letaba Camp to the new Giriyondo border post. It is new, clean and staffed by friendly officials and is a refreshing change from Lebombo. Be warned however that this border post is definitely only recommended for 4 x 4 vehicles as the road is truly off road. Once past the border post you enter the Limpopo National Park (Mozambique). Entrance fees are Meticais 200 per person and per vehicle. The next town is Massingir.
From Swaziland
The road from the Swazi border to Maputo is in reasonable condition. Avoid driving after dark due to the high amount of traffic without proper lights. The border ceremonies are similar to those on the South-African border, although there is less traffic and you should be able to pass quite fast.
By Bus
From MalawiThere are a number of border crossings to/from Malawi. By far the easiest and most frequently plied is at Zóbuè. The road is in good condition. Daily chapas run to/from Tete to the border, where you will have to walk about 300 m to get to Malawian transport. Daily through buses from Chimoio and Beira also use this crossing.There is another border crossing to the north, at Dedza, which may be more convienient for Lilongwe but the public transport on either side can be sporadic.To leave/enter Malawi to the east, there are two crossings, Milange and Mandimba. Milange is in the south-east of Malawi, and to get there you need to catch one of the daily vehicles that run between Mocuba and Milange. At Milange there is a 2 km walk to the border, and then another 1km to where Malawian transport leaves. Mandimba is further north, used mainly to get to Malawi from Lichinga. Several vehicles run daily between Lichinga and Mandimba, from where it is another 7km to the border. Hitching is relatively easy, or bicycle-taxis do the trip for about $1.
It is also possible to cross the Lake - see BY BOAT below.
From Southe Africa
You can take the Intercape Mainliner, +27 861 287 287, from Johannesburg to Maputo. These buses run in both directions on a regular basis, one in the morning, and another overnight, and are safe and affordable. Other carriers include Greyhound [9] and Translux [10].Three times per week there are bus connections to and from Durban. There is also a service from Nelspruit and Komatipoort to Maputo. There are the "taxis" to and from any destination in South Africa at affordable prices, now from 4AM to 12AM.
From Swaziland
The border at Namaacha is west of Maputo, and heavily traveled. Chapas travel direct between Maputo and Mbabane and also Manzini. Otherwise you can do the trip in stages, swapping vehicles at the border. Chapas run throughout the day between Maputo and Namaacha.
From Tanzania
The border between Mozambique and Tanzania is formed by the River Rovuma. Daily pick-ups connect Moçimboa da Praia with Palma and Namiranga, the border post on the Mozambique side. The main route runs from Moçimboa da Praia (on the Mozambiquan side), via Palma (Mozambique), to Mtwara (on the Tanzanian side) and vica versa. It is recommended to take 2 days over this trip due to the low quality of the roads on the Mozambique side, and the low level of traffic. When coming from Tanzania, lifts depart from Mtwara and Kilambo to the Rovuma river. Kilambo is a small place with one road running through it, so lifts should be easy to find. Mtwara is much larger however, so ask the locals where and when lifts leave from. When coming from Mozambique, your lift to the river will normally start from either Palma (more likely), or - if you're lucky - Moçimboa da Praia and go to the border post at Namiranga. It will generally wait for you to have your passport stamped at the border post (a mud hut in Namiranga). During the wet season, your lift will then probably drive to the banks of the Rovuma. During the dry season it will drive you to the end of the road, from which there is a walk of between 1 and 2km's (depending on the water level that day) to the Rovuma river. At the moment there is an unreliable ferry that goes across the river. Typically however, the crossing is done by dugout canoes or slightly larger wooden motorboats. The trip across the river shouldn't cost more than around 8USD, but can only normally be paid for using Tanzanian shillings, although if you find yourself without these, there are plenty of locals who will offer you "generous" exchange rates for your hard-earned Dollars and Meticais. If water levels are low you may have to wade to get to and from your boat on the Tanzanian side, so possessing a heavy-duty waterproof sack may be a good idea, but it is by no means essential. On the Tanzanian side you will often find yourself mobbed by people offering you transport. Pick-pocketing is common on both sides of the river, so care must be taken whilst finding transport to the nearby towns, a good method of reducing your trouble is to befriend a local on the boatride over, you will find most of your fellow travellers are willing to help you in one way or another. Transport then carries you on to the Tanzanian border post at Kilambo, and normally, further on to Mtwara, the capital of Southern Tanzania. For further information and up-to-date news on this crossing, go to "Russell's Place" (also known as Cashew Camp) in Pemba.There are other crossings to Tanzania, but these all require long walks. Ask around for local information.
From Zambia
The main crossing is at Cassacatiza, north-west of Tete. This border is in good condition, but lightly traveled. Daily chapas run between Tete and Matema, from there the public transport is sporadic. The best way to travel from Mozambique to Zambia is to go via Malawi.
From Zimbabwe
There are two crossings - Nyamapanda (south-west of Tete), and Machipanda (west of Chimoio). Both are heavily traveled, especially Machipanda due to its location at the end of the Beira Corridor.
Transportation hotel – conference center – hotel:
Transportation from hotel to conference center will be taken care of by Virology Education provided that at least 10 conference participants are staying at the relevant hotel. To ensure your transportation, please email the hotel you choose to stay at to anna-marie.loeff@vironet.com. Transportation time table will be available in the hotel.
Vaccinations
All travellers should visit either their personal physician or a travel health clinic 4-8 weeks before departure. Please refer to the following link for general information on food safety and general health risks in Mozambique: http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/africa/mozambique.php
Important: A stamp in your vaccination record verifying that you are cholera-free may be necessary for entry to Mozambique - please check into this with your local Ministry of Health.
All visitors (except citizens of Swaziland, South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, & Zambia) need a visa.
All airports (including Maputo International Airport) and almost all borders (including Ressano Garcia, Goba, Nammacha, etc.) may issue them on arrival. Visas can be obtained at the frontiers. It is necessary present a valid Passport and two recent photographs. However, we strongly advise to try to obtain a visa before arrival.
Applying for a visitor visa, valid for 90 days, before arriving costs $20 (single-entry) or $40 (double/multiple entry). A letter of invitation is required. A transit visa, valid 7 days, is also an option for travelers as only a visa for the final destination is required.
