COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO KAREN WELCH TO TRAVEL TO

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001359

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

AIDAC

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

REF: KINGSTON 01519


1. Embassy Bridgetown warmly welcomes and grants country clearance
to Mr. John Mason, Executive Associate to travel Barbados for the
period August 19-25, 2006. The purpose of this visit is to conduct
Evaluation Planning and Performance Management workshops.


2. No Embassy support assistance is required. Embassy point of
contact is USAID Officer Mansfield Blackwood, 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) 939-9200A valid U.S passport is required to
enter Barbados.


5. Departure tax for Barbados $25.00 BDS or $13.00 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