COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR MICHAEL MAURY

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000965

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

AIDAC


E. O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC EAID OTRA BB
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR MICHAEL MAURY
CASSELL TO TRAVEL TO BARBADOS

REF: SECSTATE 90562


1. Embassy Bridgetown grants country clearance for Mr.
Michael Maury Cassell, Health Development Officer,
USAID, to travel to Barbados July 12-21, 2006.


2. Hotel reservations have been made at the Coral
Sands Hotel, Worthing, Christ Church, Tel (246)-435-

6617. Your confirmation number is 10939 and the room
rate is US$148.50 inclusive of taxes.


3. Unfortunately, post's resources do not allow us the
flexibility to meet and assist visitors at the airport.
The taxi rate from the airport to the hotel is
approximately BDS$30.00 (US$15.00). The exchange rate
is approximately 2 Barbados Dollars for 1 U.S. Dollar.
You should bring enough U.S. Dollar bills to pay the
taxi. U.S. currency, traveler's checks, and credit
cards are routinely and widely accepted here. If you
have any questions, please contact Mary Freyder at
Tel.(246)228-8070 or Fax. (246) 228-8589.


4. Entry requirements: A valid U.S. passport is
required to enter Barbados. No visa is required if your
stay is under six months, including those travelers
arriving with diplomatic or official passports. For
further information, travelers may contact the Embassy
of Barbados, 2144 Wyoming Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C.
20008, telephone 202) 939-9200.


5. Departure tax for Barbados is BDS25.00 or USD19.00


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 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.

KRAMER