Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BRIDGETOWN1206
2006-07-12 19:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bridgetown
Cable title:  

COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR WELCH TO TRAVEL TO BARBADOS

Tags:  ASEC EAID OTRA BB 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0011
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWN #1206 1931946
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 121946Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2899
UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001206 

SIPDIS

DEPT PASS USAID FOR LAC/RSD/PHN - TERRI POLLARD

SIPDIS

AIDAC

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

REF: STATE 114230

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001206

SIPDIS

DEPT PASS USAID FOR LAC/RSD/PHN - TERRI POLLARD

SIPDIS

AIDAC

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

REF: STATE 114230


1. Embassy Bridgetown warmly welcomes and grants country clearance
to Ms. Karen Welch to travel to Barbados on or about July 17- 23,

2006. The purpose of travel is to attend the USAID-funded workshop
on Avian and Pandemic Flu Preparedness for the Caribbean.


2. Embassy point of contact is USAID Officer Angela Davis, 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, traveler's 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