COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO CHANG-CHI CHU FOR

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000430

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

USDA/ARS/MICHELE WILLIAMS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA EAGR BB VC
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO CHANG-CHI CHU FOR
TRAVEL TO BARBADOS AND ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

REF: USDA FAS WASHDC 676618


1. Embassy Bridgetown warmly welcomes and grants clearance to
Dr. Chang-Chi Chu, Plant Physiologist, USDA to visit Barbados
(03/21/06 - 03/26/06) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines
(03/26/06 - 04-01-06). Dr. Chu will be visiting both
countries to monitor the Chili Thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis
Hood) insect pest.


2. Per reftel, Embassy assistance is not needed.


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, 246-436-4950
x2230, or by fax at 246-431-0384.


4. Barbados 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 12.50 U.S. dollars.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines entry/departure requirements:
Mission policy is that all USG travelers to the region be in
possession of a valid passport. Visas are not required,
lenght of stay is determined by immigration official upon
arrival, if necessary. All visitors must have a return or
on-going ticket. There is a departure tax of 30 xcd (Eastern
Caribbean dollars) or 12 U.S. dollars.


5. The exchange rate in Barbados is two Barbados dollars for
one U.S. dollar. The exchange rate in St. Vincent and the
Grenadines is 2.70 xcd (Eastern Caribbean dollars) for one
U.S. dollar. U.S. currency, travelers' 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.
KRAMER