COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO JEFFREY P. COHEN TO TRAVEL TO

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 002195 SIPDIS SIPDIS AIDAC E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: OTRA EAID BB SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO JEFFREY P. COHEN TO TRAVEL TO BARBADOS REF: SANTO DOMINIGO 3737 ¶1. EMBASSY BRIDGETOWN GRANTS COUNTRY CLEARANCE TO JEFFREY P. COHEN, PROGRAM OFFICER, TO TRAVEL TO BARBADOS ON OR ABOUT JANUARY 2-6, 2007, TO PROVIDE MISSION ASSISTANCE WITH THE FY07 OPERATIONAL PLAN. ¶2. EMBASSY POINT OF CONTACT IS USAID REPRESENTATIVE JAMES GOGGIN, PHONE: 1(246) 228-8070, FAX: 1(246)228-8589. MR. COHEN WILL BE MET AT THE AIRPORT AND TAKEN TO THE SOUTH BEACH HOTEL RESORT AND VACATION CLUB. ¶3. THE EXCHANGE RATE IS $2.02 BDS FOR $1.00 USD. U.S. CURRENCY, TRAVELER'S CHECKS, AND CREDIT CARDS ARE ROUTINELY AND WIDELY ACCEPTED HERE. ¶4. 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 BDS OR $13.00 USD. INDIVIDUALS TRAVELING ON DIPLOMATIC PASSPORTS ARE EXEMPT FROM THIS DEPARTURE TAX. ¶5. 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. GILROY