COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR BARBADOS

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000100 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR WHA/CAR WILLIAM BENT AND INR/IAA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: APER OTRA BB SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR BARBADOS (AMBASSADOR JOHN D. ROOD) REF: NASSAU 75 ¶1. (SBU) Embassy Bridgetown warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to Ambassador John D. Rood to travel to Barbados on February 3-5, 2006. ¶2. (SBU) We understand that further Embassy assistance is not required. In case of emergency, please contact Post One through the Embassy general phone number (246) 436-4950, x2210. Post One can then connect you to whomever you need. ¶3. (U) The exchange rate is approximately B$2.00 to US$1. U.S. currency, traveler's checks, and credit cards are routinely and widely accepted here. Some establishments do not accept American Express. ¶4. (U) Entry requirements: A valid U.S. passport is required to enter Barbados. No visa is required if your stay is under six months, including those travelers arriving with diplomatic or official passports. ¶5. (U) There is a departure tax of B$25.00 or US$13.00. ¶6. (U) The following is general information on security and health considerations throughout the Eastern Caribbean: SECURITY -------------- In the Eastern Caribbean, foot travel outside of well- established tourist areas is not generally recommended, especially at night. Be vigilant when using public telephones or ATM facilities near roadsides or quiet areas. As in many U.S. metropolitan areas, wearing expensive jewelry, carrying expensive objects, or carrying large amounts of cash should be avoided. Visitors should also safeguard valuables while at the beach. While hotels are generally safe, many visitors have experienced loss of unattended items. Hotel burglaries are not uncommon and all valuables should be locked in room safes. HEALTH INFORMATION -------------- In Barbados, the major health threat is dengue fever, transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. Persons should therefore protect themselves with insect repellent. There is also a growing incidence of HIV/AIDS. The Eastern Caribbean enjoys clean and safe drinking water. Only routine boosters for immunizations, i.e., Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis and oral polio vaccine are required when traveling to this region. It takes several weeks to become accustomed to the heat and humidity. Prolonged exposure to the sun, without protection, causes sunburn, and may ultimately result in sun-damaged skin or even skin cancer. Sunscreens or sunblocks should be used for protection. Barbados has the best medical facilities of all the islands of the Eastern Caribbean, and most of the medical specialties have practitioners here. GILROY