COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO NOAA EMPLOYEES FOR

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000896 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT OF COMMERCE PASS TO ANN KEBECKBY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TPHY EFIS OTRA AMGT KSCA SC XL SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO NOAA EMPLOYEES FOR TRAVEL TO ST. KITTS AND NEVIS REF: DEPT OF COMMERCE 2177 ¶1. Embassy Bridgetown welcomes and grants clearance to Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) employees Jeffrey Breiwick, Robert Rownell, Phillip Clapham, Megan Dohahue, Douglas Demaster, Peggy Krahn, Rick Leduc, David Mattila, Sue Moore, Debra Palka, William Perrin, Teresa Rowles, Brandon Southall, Barbara Taylor, Paul Wade, and Robin Waples for travel to St. Kitts and Nevis May 22-June 7, 2006. The travelers are attending the the International Whaling Commission scientific meetings. ¶2. Per reftel, Embassy understands assistance is not requested. Travelers are staying at the St. Kitts Marriott, telephone, 869/466-1200. ¶3. Post would like to remind the originating office that country clearance requests are to be sent five to ten business days before travel to be sure of appropriate handling. ¶4. 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 X2228, or by fax at 246/431-0384. ¶5. Entry requirements: Mission policy is that all USG travelers to the region be in possession of a valid passport. There is a departure tax of 45 xcd (Eastern Caribbean) dollars or 16.50 U.S. dollars. ¶6. The exchange rate in St. Kitts and Nevis 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. ¶7. 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