EFTA Document EFTA01808014

From: Dave Johnson <11.110.1.11.0.1m> Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2017 2:56 PM To: G Charsley (Adler ANS) Cc: Zane; Ian Fitz atrick• M la Baker US; krausandreas jason.tim Subject: MedAire Medical & Travel Information for Nassau Melissa Smallwood; The attached Medical / Travel information was dowloaded from =he MedAire website & may be of interest prior to visiting =assau DAVE JOHNSON email Begin forwarded message: From: =/b> Date: =/b>March 14, 2017 at 9:58:00 AM =DT To: =/b> Reply-To MedAire Travel =amp; Security Information for Nassau Bahamas Security =dvice STANDARD TRAVEL SECURITY ADVICE Maintain a low profile. Dress as inconspicuously as possible =nd avoid ostentatious displays of wealth. Avoid displaying money, =earing jewellery or carrying valuables such as laptop computers or =ameras. When walking in the street, keep your bags and briefcases away =rom passing traffic. EFTA_R1_00156732 EFTA01808014 • Always carry some form of =ommunication equipment, such as a cellular phone programmed with =umbers that would be useful in an emergency (police, embassy, =nternational SOS Assistance Centre, etc►. • Understand =he basic geography of your destination, and ensure you familiarise =ourselves with key routes: avoid high-crime or low-income areas if =ossible. If you find yourself disorientated, be discreet when =onsulting a map — or ask for directions from someone in a =ublic, client-facing role, such a shop assistant or police =fficer. • Avoid disputes, demonstrations, political =allies and commotions on the street. Do not stay to watch or photograph =hem. • Carry cash in more than one pocket, and keep a =mall amount in a top pocket to hand over to a criminal who confronts =ou. A dummy wallet — with a small amount of local currency, an =xpired credit card and some useless receipts — can be useful to =atisfy a mugger. • Where possible, obtain small =enominations of currency and keep the bulk of cash and cards in a money =elt, which should only be accessed in private places. • Ignore verbal 'bait' from passers-by — do not =et into an argument — and avoid eye contact with strangers. If =ou suspect that you are being followed, enter any busy public place and =all for help. * Maintain a high level of information =ecurity. Do not give out personal information. Do not discuss your =tans with strangers. Do not carry unnecessary amounts of information, =ither in hard copy or on laptops, removable drives etc. Memorise important local phrases (yes, no, how much, stop =ere etc). • Be alert to your surroundings: if =ossible, understand the pattern of life, and be alert for — and =eady to respond to changes. • Limit your alcohol =ntake: it is likely to reduce your level of awareness and =udgment. • Do not accept food or drinks from =trangers. Always keep your food and drink in sight in entertainment =enues. ADDITIONAL ADVICE FOR WOMEN TRAVELLERS • Call for advice from our security specialists if you have any =oncerns about the risks you might face in a given destination. • Observe and respect local clothing customs. Dress modestly to =void drawing attention. • In some countries, a lone =emale traveller is a source of curiosity: you may be stared at if =ravelling alone. As a precaution, avoid eye contact with strangers, =specially on the street and on public transport. If travelling alone, =estrict evening entertainment to business-class hotels or membership =tubs. • A wedding ring — even a fake one —=can reduce levels of unwanted male attention. • Decline =olitely but firmly any invitations which make you feel uncomfortable, =ven if faced by amicable pressure to accept. • Ignore =uggestive comments. • Some hotels offer women-only =loors; ask about them when you book your room. Ensure your hotel only =Vows guest access to accommodation floors. You might want to consider =sing a door wedge and/or portable alarm for extra security. • Check the available transport options at your destination, =nd if there are any additional precautions advised for women — =uch as not using a taxi alone, or where to sit on a =us. ADDITIONAL ADVICE FOR LGBT TRAVELLERS Homosexuality is illegal in many countries. Additionally, =ocial attitudes in many countries can result in harassment of lesbian, =ay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups; harassment is also =requently reported in countries where same-sex relationships are =egal. The following steps can be taken to minimise the =ikelihood of encountering social, legal or physical consequences =rising from your sexual orientation: 2 EFTA_R1_00156733 EFTA01808015 • Keep a low profile: LGBT travellers generally face harassment =r legal censure only if they draw attention to their sexuality. In =igher risk locations, LGBT travellers should avoid drawing attention to =hemselves through public displays of affection or expressing opinions =n LGBT issues in public. If LGBT employees receive unusual attention or =re victims of abuse, they should leave the area and go back to their =otel or office. • Follow the law: Travellers should =lways comply with local laws, including in countries where LGBT =ctivity is illegal. Be vigilant: LGBT travellers =hould exercise higher levels of vigilance in areas with a higher =ikelihood of physical assault. They should remain alert to their =urroundings and check for signs of being followed. Americas Homosexuality is =egal in most countries of the region, though violent verbal or physical =ttacks on LGBT individuals occur in some Central and South American =ations, and it is best to avoid public displays of affection as a =ecurity precaution. Homosexuality is illegal in some =aribbean nations, including Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago; verbal and =hysical attacks on LGBT individuals occur regularly. Africa Homosexuality is illegal in the =ollowing countries: Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan; punishment =an include the death penalty. Harassment of LGBT individuals is =ommon. Homosexuality is also illegal, and imprisonment =nd some harassment of LGBT individuals may be experienced, in the =ollowing countries: Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, =omoros, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, =iberia, Libya, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra =eone, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia =nd Zimbabwe. Asia Homosexuality is illegal in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, =runei, India, Kiribati, Malaysia, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nauru, =akistan, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri =anka, Tonga, and parts of Indonesia. In Afghanistan, =omosexuality is punishable by death. In Brunei, Pakistan, Malaysia, and =he Maldives an LGBT individual could face Sharia law punishments such =s whipping, imprisonment, or death by stoning; more commonly, =unishment involves fines and jail. In Bangladesh, =hutan, India, Kiribati, Myanmar, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, =ingapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka and Tonga homosexuality is =unishable by fines and extended imprisonment. Laws =gainst homosexuality are only sporadically enforced in Bangladesh, =hutan, India, Kiribati, Myanmar, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, =ingapore, Sri Lanka, and Tonga. However LGBT individuals are vulnerable =o police harassment. Homosexuality is legal in most =arts of Indonesia. Laws against homosexuality in Aceh and South Sumatra =rovinces apply to Muslims, but not non-Muslims. Europe Homosexuality is legal in most countries of the area. =omosexuality is legal in Russia but there are laws against its =xpression, including fines for people giving information about =omosexuality to minors. In the Balkans, there were 3 EFTA_R1_00156734 EFTA01808016 several instances of =ttacks during events organised by the LGBT community (e.g. annual gay =ride marches). Violent verbal or physical attacks on LGBT individuals =ccur in the region and it is best to avoid public displays of affection =s a security precaution. Central =sia Male homosexuality is illegal in Turkmenistan =nd Uzbekistan, where the sentence can be up to two and three years =mprisonment respectively. Middle =ast Homosexuality is illegal in most countries. =omosexuality is punishable by death in Iran, Saudi Arabia and Sudan, =nd could be punished by prison sentences, deportation or other =ignificant punitive measures in many other countries. Same-sex "relationships are legal in Israel and Jordan, though harassment can =ccur in both countries. Risk =atings MEDIUM MEDICAL RISK for =ahamas LOW=TRAVEL RISK for Bahamas Risk Summary Crime rates in the Bahamas have increased significantly in =ecent years, particularly in Nassau. Security risks on the outlying =slands of the Bahamian archipelago, known as the Family or Out Islands, =re significantly lower than for Nassau (New Providence) and Freeport =Grand Bahama). Violent crime and murder have traditionally occurred in =he lower-income areas of Nassau and Freeport; the southern =eighbourhoods of Nassau are particularly dangerous. However, criminal =ctivity has spread into upmarket residential and tourist areas. Despite =he increase in violent crime, the problem largely affects local =esidents. The principal risks for business travellers remain petty =heft and street crime. The islands face a significant risk from =urricanes and tropical storms between June and November. This information is intended as a summary of the travel =ecurity environment; however, the risks can change at short notice =uring a crisis or evolving situation. Please check our travel security =lerts to ensure you are informed of the most recent =evelopments. STANDING TRAVEL ADVICE Alerts Ongoing Zika transmission Spike in gang violence highlights need to exercise =recautions against crime risks View All =lerts Vaccinations For =ahamas Hepatitis A Read more Hepatitis B Read more Typhoid fever Read more Yellow fever Read =ore Recommended for all travellers =nd expatriates. Recommended for most =ravellers and expatriates, Recommended for adventurous =nd long-term Vaccination is required for =ravellers ≥ 1 year 4 EFTA_R1_00156735 EFTA01808017 Routine =accinations • All routine vaccinations should =e current: these include Measles-Mumps-Rubella, Polio, Tetanus- Di phtheria-Pertussis, and Varicella. • Influenza occurs in =he northern and southern hemisphere winters and year-round in the =ropics. Consider an annual vaccination. Other Medical =recautions • Before you go - See your doctor and dentist and ensure =ou are in the best health before you leave. Other =reparations: • Malaria • Health Threats Summary TRAVEL RISK SUMMARY Crime rates in the =ahamas have increased significantly in recent years, particularly in =assau. Security risks on the outlying islands of the Bahamian =rchipelago, known as the Family or Out Islands, are significantly lower =han for Nassau (New Providence) and Freeport (Grand Bahama). Violent =rime and murder have traditionally occurred in the lower-income areas =f Nassau and Freeport; the southern neighbourhoods of Nassau are =articularly dangerous. However, criminal activity has spread into =pmarket residential and tourist areas. Despite the increase in violent =rime, the problem largely affects local residents. The principal risks =or business travellers remain petty theft and street crime. The islands =ace a significant risk from hurricanes and tropical storms between June =nd November. This information is intended as a summary =f the travel security environment; however, the risks can change at =hort notice during a crisis or evolving situation. Please check our =ravel security alerts to ensure you are informed of the most recent =evelopments. STANDING TRAVEL ADVICE • Travel =o the Bahamas can continue with basic security precautions. • Avoid isolated areas of the islands after dark. • Take basic security precautions against petty and street =rime. Personal =isk CRIME Petty =nd opportunistic crimes are the main risks facing foreign visitors, =hough there has also been an increase since 2015 of armed crime. Crime =ates, both petty and violent, are high on the island of New Providence, =ncluding in the capital Nassau and surrounding areas. Credit and debit =ard fraud is a serious concern; travellers should check their bank =tatements frequently and use ATMs at secure locations. On New Providence there have been reports of thieves placing =terns on roads to block vehicles and subsequently rob the passengers. =here have also been cases of criminals deliberately hitting a victim's =ar from behind to cause an accident; when the cars stop, the criminals =pproach the occupants and rob them. 5 EFTA_R1_00156736 EFTA01808018 Although the =ajority of violent crime affects local nationals and occurs in areas =hat foreigners are unlikely to frequent, there have been armed =obberies of and assaults on foreigners on New Providence, including in =he Cable Beach area. Armed robberies have also been reported at gas =tations, fast-food restaurants, convenience stores and banks. Criminals in the Bahamas have been known to carry knives and =uns. Generally, thieves will not use these weapons unless they are =rovoked. There have been cases in where a resisting victim was =ssaulted. Visitors should avoid confronting assailants and comply with =heir instructions to mitigate the risk of assault during a robbery =ttempt. Foreigners' residences in the Bahamas are =eriodically burgled, even within gated communities. Residential =reak-ins and thefts also take place on the islands of Abaco and Bimini. =here have been reports of assaults during robberies, as well as in the =icinity of hotels. Drug-related crimes, including =muggling by organised criminal gangs, are a major concern on many =slands, though they do not pose a direct threat to travellers. =overnment officials attribute the rapid increase in drug-related crime =o the struggle between local gangs for control of strategic territories =hroughout the New Providence region: however, most drug-related =iolence is restricted to lower income areas which business travellers =re unlikely to need to visit. Since 2015, there has =een a rise in sexual assaults in Nassau. Many of these assaults have =aken places within tourist areas, personnel residences, hotel rooms, =asinos, outside hotels, and on cruise ships. Some victims were drugged =efore being assaulted. Women should maintain increased vigilance, =specially after nightfall and in isolated areas and deserted stretched =f beach, to mitigate the risk of sexual assault. TERRORISM There is a low risk of terrorist =ttack. SOCIAL UNREST Protests are =are and generally peaceful. Industrial strikes seldom disrupt public =ervices. BUSINESSWOMEN Women are =nlikely to face any challenges while conducting business. North =merican business practices heavily influence the business environment; =omen are well represented in many professions. EMERGENCY =UMBERS Emergency Numbers Fire 911/919 Police 911/919 Ambulance =ervices are not recommended. Contact International SOS for help with your =edical situation. Clinics & =ospitals Medical =roviders No matter where you =re, contact International SOS first if you are sick, injured or =eed medical advice. 6 EFTA_R1_00156737 EFTA01808019 Our medical staff will advise you, help you =elect the correct doctor, hospital or clinic, and make any necessary =ppointments on your behalf. If our terms allow, we will also make =inancial arrangements for you. It is recommended that you contact International SOS before accessing medical =are in Bahamas Hospitals / Clinics If you =re unable to contact International SOS, the following list of hospitals =nd clinics is provided in case of medical emergencies. Nassau Doctors Hospital Category: Hospital Address: Shirley St. and =ollins Ave Nassau, NA Telephone: 1 242 302 =610 1 242 302-4600 1 242 =22 8411 Health =hreats These pages display diseases in approximate =rder of risk Travelers' diarrhea I Threat from : Food =nd/or water Travellers' diarrhoea usually occurs within the =irst week away from home. It affects between 20 and 50 percent of all =nternational travelers, especially people visiting high risk =estinations such as developing nations in Latin America, Africa, Asia =nd the Middle East. More on Travelers' diarrhea and its presence in =ahamas Dengue fever I Threat from : Insect =ites Dengue, or "break-bone" fever, is a =iral disease of the tropics and sub-tropics. It is transmitted by =he Aedes=aegypti mosquito =hat bites during the daytime and is found in and around human =abitation. Symptoms include high fever, severe headaches, joint and =uscle pain. A rash often follows. The acute illness can last up to ten =ays, but complete recovery can take two to four weeks. More on Dengue fever and its presence in =ahamas 7 EFTA_R1_00156738 EFTA01808020 Chikungunya I Threat from : Insect =ites People can get chikungunya if they are =itten by a mosquito carrying the virus. About four to seven days later, =he infected person develops a sudden fever and severe joint pain. Pain =s especially common in the knees, ankles, small joints (especially in =ands and feet) and any previously injured area. Other common symptoms =re a rash and headache. More on Chikungunya and its presence in =ahamas Typhoid fever I Threat from : Food =nd/or water Typhoid fever is a serious infection =aused by a type of salmonella bacteria spread by =ontaminated food or water. Choosing safe food and water will greatly reduce the =isk of developing the disease. More on Typhoid fever Hepatitis A I Threat from : Food =nd/or water Hepatitis A is a viral disease that =ffects the liver. It is transmitted person•to•person and by =ontaminated food and water, especially in areas with poor sanitation =nd overcrowding. More on Hepatitis A More diseases associated with Bahamas 1 1 2 Getting =round BY AIR National=carrier Bahamasair provides connections between Nassau and Freeport, in =ddition to several other domestic services. SkyBahamas operates =cheduled flights throughout the Bahamas, as well as charter flights to =ocations elsewhere in the Caribbean. 8 EFTA_R1_00156739 EFTA01808021 BY ROAD Driving is on the left. Roads are often narrow, winding and =n poor condition especially in rural areas. Pedestrian traffic, =eckless driving, potholes and vehicular congestion can make driving =ifficult. Roads are often inundated in major urban centres such as =assau and Freeport during the Caribbean hurricane season =June-November). International companies such as Avis and Hertz offer car-hire services. =ravellers intending to self-drive need to carry an international =river's permit or their national driving licence; a Bahamian driver's =icence is required for foreigners staying for a period of more than =hree months. It is mandatory to wear seat belts. Roadside assistance is =vailable. Visitors involved in accidents should wait for the police and =ot move their vehicles, though police assistance can take time. BY TAXI Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive, =nd can be booked via telephone or hailed on the street. Metered rates =ary by island and surcharges often apply for more than two passengers =nd extra luggage. Visitors should negotiate a price before departure, =r ensure that the driver uses the meter. Many taxis only accept cash. =nlicensed taxis should be avoided. BY TRAIN Nassau serves as the hub for a well-developed, wide-reaching =nd efficient train network. BY OTHER MEANS Bus services are available in Nassau and Grand Bahama. These =perate regularly and cover most of the destinations. Travellers are =dvised to carry currency in small denominations to avoid difficulties =n receiving change. Ferry services are also =vailable. Embassies & =onsulates Embassies China Embassy Nassau Shirley Street East, PO Box: SS-6389; Nassau Nassau Bahamas Telephone: +1 =42 3931415 Fascimilie: +1242 =930733 Email: [email protected] <=r class="">website: http://bs.china-embassy.org/chn/ <=td> Netherlands Embassy Nassau Gladstone Rd. North within the Bahamas Waste =td. Office; Nassau 9 EFTA_R1_00156740 EFTA01808022 Nassau Bahamas Telephone: +1 242 =616398 Fascimilie: +1242 =616842 Email: [email protected] =/tr> Norway Consulate The Symonette Group of Companies Nelson Road P.O. Box CB =2043; Nassau Bahamas Telephone: +1 242 =24-0372 Fascimilie: +1242 =27-3184 Email: [email protected] Sweden Consulate Nassau 1 Bay Shore Close, West Bay Str; =assau Nassau Bahamas Telephone: +1 =42 326 2817 Fascimilie: +1 242 3262 =862 Email: [email protected] =tr class="">website: www.swedenabroad.com Switzerland Consulate Nassau Lyford Cay, Resolute Road P.O. Box N-7776; =assau Nassau Bahamas Telephone: +1 =42 362 5539 Fascimilie: +1 242 362 =539 Email: [email protected] website: www.eda.admin.ch United States Embassy Nassau 42 Queen Street; Nassau Nassau Bahamas Telephone: +1 =42 3221181 Fascimilie: +1 242 356 =174 10 EFTA_R1_00156741 EFTA01808023 Email: [email protected] website: https://bs.usembassy.gov/ Calendar 2017 14 =pr Good Friday 02 Jun Randol Fawkes Labour =ay In the Bahamas, Labour Day is named after the man who =s credited with founding the country's trade union movement 05 Jun Whit Monday 10 Jul Independence Day 01 Aug Emancipation Day This holiday celebrates the emancipation of slaves in the =ritish colonies in 1834. 10 =ct National =eroes Day Formerly called 'Discovery Day' or 'Columbus =ay', this has been dedicated since 2013 to honouring Bahamian national =eroes. 25 Dec Christmas Day In some countries, if this holiday falls on a Saturday or =unday, a public holiday is declared for the following Monday. 26 Dec Boxing Day In many countries, if this holiday falls on a Saturday or =unday, a public holiday is observed on the following Monday or Tuesday =espectively. 2018 01 =an New Year's =ay In many countries, if this holiday falls on a Saturday =r Sunday, a public holiday is declared for the following Monday. 10 Jan Majority Rule Day Commemorating the day in 1967 that the Bahamas became =elf-governing. Disclaimer Privacy Travel security advice provided in this report =epresents the best judgment of MA International Holdings Pte. Ltd. and =ontrol Risks Group Holdings Ltd. Medical and health advice provided in =his report represents the best judgment of AEA International Holdings =te. Ltd. Advice in this report does not however provide a warranty of =uture results nor a guarantee against risk. 11 EFTA_R1_00156742 EFTA01808024 © 2017 AEA International Holdings Pte. Ltd. and Control =isks Group Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction (other than =or authorised internal purposes) is prohibited except with the prior =ritten consent of the copyright =wners. = 12 EFTA_R1_00156743 EFTA01808025