COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR FARMER TO TRAVEL TO SAINT

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001778

SIPDIS

TOPEC

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC OTRA ST DO SC XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR FARMER TO TRAVEL TO SAINT
LUCIA, DOMINICA AND ST. KITTS

REF: SECSTATE 168910


1. Embassy Bridgetown warmly welcomes and grants country clearance
to International Health Coordinator, William Farmer, who will meet
with Peace Corps staff to perform an assessment of medical
facilities.


2. Post understands that Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean based in St.
Lucia will arrange for Mr. Farmer's travel and logistical support.


3. Mr. Farmer's itinerary is as follows:
Arriving St. Lucia at 8:45pm via AA 512 on 10/19.
Departing St. Lucia and arriving in Dominica at 8:40pm via
Caribbean Star 8B754 on 10/22.
Departing Dominica and arriving in St. Kitts at 6:40pm via
Caribbean Star 8B748 on 10/25.
Departing St. Kitts at 4:10pm via AA 796 on 10/29.


4. Unfortunately, post's resources do not allow us the flexibility
to meet and assist visitors at the airport. The exchange rate for
St. Lucia, Dominica and St. Kitts is approximately 2.65 XCD (Eastern
Caribbean Dollars) for 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.


5. Entry requirements: A valid U.S. passport is required to enter
Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Dominica. No visa is required if your
stay is under six months, including those travelers arriving with
diplomatic or official passports.


6. Departure tax for St. Lucia is XCD$45.00 or USD$17.00.
Departure tax for Saint Kitts and Nevis is $30.00 XCD (Eastern
Caribbean Dollars) or $12.00 USD. Departure tax for Dominica is
$16.00 ECC (Eastern Caribbean Currency) or $10.00 USD.


7. The following is general information pertaining to
transportation, security, and health considerations throughout the
Eastern Caribbean:

Airports and Transportation
--------------
Commercial taxis are readily available and reasonably priced at
airports throughout the region.

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 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.

GILROY