COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO MICHAEL MCGEE FOR

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000648

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SANTO DOMINGO FOR MMCGEE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA BEXP BB
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO MICHAEL MCGEE FOR
TRAVEL TO BARBADOS

REF: SANTO DOMINGO 1239


1. Embassy Bridgetown warmly welcomes and grants clearance to
Commercial Counselor Michael L. McGee for travel to Barbados
April 18-20, 2006. The purpose of Mr. McGee's trip is
Embassy consultations and outreach.


2. Per reftel, Embassy understands assistance is required
for hotel reservations. Reservations have been made at the
Accra Beach Hotel, telephone 246/435-8920, confirmation
number 78813. The cost is $145.00 US per night inclusive of
tax and service charges.


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. 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.


5. The exchange rate in Barbados is two Barbados 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.
GILROY