COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO MERRILL AND LAGUNA

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000348

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA EAIR VC XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO MERRILL AND LAGUNA
FOR TRAVEL TO ST. VINCENT

REF: T. RHODES EMAIL 3/19/2007


1. Embassy Bridgetown welcomes and grants clearance to
Frances B. Merrill and Diana M. Laguna, Transportation
Security Specialists, TSA, to travel to St. Vincent and the
Grenadines from May 13-24, 2007. The purpose of this trip is
to provide an International Civil Aviation Basic Security
Training program in conjuction with and financed by the
General Secretariat of the Organization of American States.
The program is designed to enhance aviation security screener
skills.


2. Per reftel, Embassy understands assistance is not
requested.


3. Embassy Bridgetown requests that 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 x4282 or 246/227-4282, or by fax at 246/227-4174.


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, length of stay is
determined by immigration official upon arrival, if
necessary. All visitors must have a return or ongoing
ticket. There is a departure tax of 30 xcd (Eastern
Caribbean dollars) or 12 U.S. dollars.


5. The exchange rate in St. Vincent and the Grenadines 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.
GILROY