COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO WEAVER AND SCHENK FOR

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001407

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR, INTERIOR FOR DINT/USGS/RESTON/IMHARRELL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TPHY OTRA KSAC TBIO BB
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO WEAVER AND SCHENK FOR
TRAVEL TO BARBADOS

REF: STATE 129814


1. Embassy Bridgetown warmly welcomes and grants clearance to
USGS Internal Program Specialist Jean Weaver and Supervisory
Research Geologist Christopher Schenk for travel to Barbados
from September 17-23. The purpose of the trip is to meet
with Embassy officers to discuss regional energy issues,
provide an update on the USGS Earthquake seismic station, as
well as review the USGS role in hazard mitigation projects
with the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) for the
Caribbean region.


2. Per reftel, Embassy understands airport assistance is not
required. Visitors will stay at the Coral Sands Hotel, Tel:
(246) 435-6617. Control Officer is EconOff Anthony Eterno,
Tel: (246) 436-4950, x2230, Cell: (246) 823-2387, E-mail:
EternoAR@state.gov. OFDA Regional Advisor Julie Leonard,
Tel: (246) 228-8584, Cell: (246) 823-2939, E-mail:
JPLeonard@usaid.gov, plans to be in Bridgetown that week and
looks forward to meeting with the visitors.


3. Entry/departure requirements: Mission policy is that all
USG travelers to the region be in possession of a valid
passport. Visas are not required for short visits. Visitors
are granted up to 28 days upon entry, which can be extended
through the Barbados Immigration Department for up to six
months. Barbados has a departure tax of 25 Barbados dollars
or 13.00 U.S. dollars.


4. The exchange rate in Barbados is two Barbados dollars for
one U.S. dollar. U.S. currency, traveler's checks, and
credit cards are routinely and widely accepted.


5. The following is general information pertaining to
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 machines 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 if possible.

Health
--------------

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 and the Grenadines 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
repellent. There is 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