Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BRIDGETOWN1130
2006-07-03 11:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bridgetown
Cable title:  

COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO PICK TO TRAVEL TO BARBADOS

Tags:  ASEC EAID OTRA BB XL 
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VZCZCXYZ0021
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWN #1130 1841151
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 031151Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2827
UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001130 

SIPDIS

FOR GH/OHA - OFFICE OF HIV AIDS (PICK)

SIPDIS

AIDAC

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: ASEC EAID OTRA BB XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO PICK TO TRAVEL TO BARBADOS

REF: SECSTATE 107122

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001130

SIPDIS

FOR GH/OHA - OFFICE OF HIV AIDS (PICK)

SIPDIS

AIDAC

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: ASEC EAID OTRA BB XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO PICK TO TRAVEL TO BARBADOS

REF: SECSTATE 107122


1. Embassy Bridgetown warmly welcomes and grants country clearance
to Mr. Billy Pick, HIV Technical Advisor, USAID to travel to
Barbados on or about July 12, 2006 and to depart on/about July 22,

2006. The purpose of travel is to provide requested HIV prevention
technical assistance to the Caribbean Regional Program in
preparation for the development of forthcoming procurements in this
area.


2. Hotel reservations are confirmed at the Coral Sands Hotel,
Worthing, Christ Church, Tel: (246)435-6617. Embassy point of
contact is USAID Officer Mary Freyder, Phone: 1(246) 228-8070, Fax:
1(246)228-8589.


3. Unfortunately, post's resources do not allow us the flexibility
to meet and assist visitors at the airport. The taxi rate from the
airport to the hotel is approximately BDS$30.00 (USD$15.00). The
exchange rate is a constant $2.00 Barbados Dollars (BDS) to $1 U.S.
Dollar. You should bring enough U.S. Dollar bills to pay the taxi.
U.S. currency, travelers' checks, and credit cards are routinely and
widely accepted here.


4. 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. For further information, travelers may contact the
Embassy of Barbados, 2144 Wyoming Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C.
20008, telephone 202) 939-9200.


5. Departure tax for Barbados $25.00 BDS or $12.50 USD.


6. The following general information pertains to transportation,
security and health considerations in 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
--------------
Throughout the Eastern Caribbean, the most likely threat to a
visitor's health is sunburn. 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 should be used for
protection. In Barbados, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent the major
health threat is dengue fever, transmitted by mosquito. Dengue
cases are most often seen in the summer months. Persons should
therefore protect themselves with insect repellant. There is also a
growing number of HIV/AIDS cases reported. The Eastern Caribbean
enjoys clean and safe drinking water. Only routine boosters for
immunizations (i.e. tetanus, diphtheria, and oral polio vaccine) are
required when traveling to this region. Barbados has the best
medical facilities of all the islands in the region and most of the
medical specialties have practitioners here.

KRAMER