Getting Around Transportation is a significant issue at WYD; the event always puts a major strain on the transportation infrastructure of the host country. Expect delays and even breakdowns in the system. It is anticipated that the WYD credentials will serve as the pilgrims’ passes for unlimited travel on the buses, metro and trains in and near Panama City. If your group has not experienced major public transportation before, and if circumstances allow, consider traveling with your pilgrims to a major metropolitan city in the U. S.( as part of their pilgrim preparation) to practice the art of riding public transit. Every pilgrim should be able to read the public transportation route map of Panamá, http:// www. visitpanama. com / about / transport ation, know how to plan a trip on a public system, and know how transfer between the two metro lines( one is elevated and the other is underground). Group leaders should check on these public transportation details( i. e. picking up a transit map, practice riding the system, etc.) soon after arriving in Panamá.
Expect to walk between five to ten miles each day as part of the WYD experience. Distances will depend on the location of your accommodations and catechetical sessions in relation to the central events and center city.
Walking is a key component to WYD; there is no way around it. If your group has any pilgrims who are mobility-impaired, be sure to note this at registration, check in, or arrival at WYD events with the on-site volunteers.
Medical Issues According to the Center for Disease Control https:// wwwnc. cdc. gov / travel / destinations / tr aveler / none / panama), pilgrims do not need any special vaccine to go to Panamá.
Please note that the Zika virus( and other mosquito-borne viruses) may be present in Panamá( however, it should be noted that within Panama City, the risk is lower than in the forested areas of the country). Regardless of risk, it is important to review the precautions and details about the virus on the CDC website:( https:// wwwnc. cdc. gov / travel / notices / alert / z ika-virus-panama).
Pilgrims should check with their doctors to ensure that they are healthy enough to travel and with their health insurance companies to see what coverage, if any, they receive when traveling abroad. WYD may provide some limited health insurance as part of the pilgrim package( though this is not known at the time
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