Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRIDGETOWN355
2007-03-21 18:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bridgetown
Cable title:  

COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO FITZPATRICK FOR

Tags:  OTRA KHIV TBIO ST 
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VZCZCXYZ0026
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWN #0355 0801859
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211859Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUEHSP/AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN 9544
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4424
UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000355 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA KHIV TBIO ST
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO FITZPATRICK FOR
TRAVEL TO ST. LUCIA

REF: PORT OF SPAIN 273

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000355

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA KHIV TBIO ST
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO FITZPATRICK FOR
TRAVEL TO ST. LUCIA

REF: PORT OF SPAIN 273


1. Embassy Bridgetown welcomes and grants clearance to Dr.
Lisa Fitzpatrick, Director, CDC Global Aids Program, to
travel to St. Lucia from March 26-27, 2007. The purpose of
this trip is to meet with staff of the HIV/AIDS Programme
Unit and to meet with Dr. Vasantha Chase, Director of the
OECS Office.


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


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, 246/227-4282, or by
fax at 246/227-4174.


4. Entry requirements: Mission policy is that all USG
travelers to the region be in possession of a valid passport.
St. Lucia does not require a visa for stays of up to three
months; however, you must have tickets or documentation for
return or onward travel. For stays of longer than three
months you may apply for an extension at the Immigration
Department. There is a departure tax of 45 xcd (Eastern
Caribbean) dollars or 16.50 U.S. dollars.


5. The exchange rate in St. Lucia 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.
OURISMAN