COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR CHEN AND ZAIDI

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 002214

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR
STATE PASS TO HHS FOR STEIGER OGHA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA KSCA KHIV DO XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR CHEN AND ZAIDI

REF: A. ATLANTA GA 04720

B. ATD# 4316


1. Embassy Bridgetown welcomes and grants clearance to Mi
Chen and Irum Zaidi, HHS/CDC Epidemiologists, to travel to
Roseau, Dominica, from January 20-27, 2007, for the purpose
of discussing HIV case surveillance-related issues.


2. Per reftel, Embassy understands that no assistance is
requested. The travelers will stay at the Fort Young Hotel,
tel: 800/754-6835.


3. Embassy Bridgetown requests an outbrief be provided to the
Political/Economic Section relating to activities while in
the region within 10 working days of completion of travel.
Please provide the outbrief by telephone, 246/227-4282, or by
fax at 246/227-4174.


4. Entry requirements: Mission policy is that all USG
travelers to the region be in possession of a valid passport.
Visas are not required for stays of up to three weeks for
tourist/business travel. Visas are not required for stays of
up to one month for diplomatic/official travel and your
passport must be valid three months beyond intended stay.
For stays of longer than listed previously travelers should
contact the nearest embassy or consulate. There is a
departure tax of 27 xcd (Eastern Caribbean) dollars or 10
U.S. dollars.


5. The exchange rate in Dominica is 2.70 xcd (Eastern
Caribbean) dollars for one U.S. dollar. U.S. currency,
traveler's checks, and credit cards are routinely and widely
accepted.


6. 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.
OURISMAN