COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR QUAIN TO TRAVEL TO BARBADOS

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000409 SIPDIS SIPDIS AIDAC GH/OHA/SPER (QUAIN) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC EAID OTRA BB XL SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR QUAIN TO TRAVEL TO BARBADOS REF: SECSTATE 41486 ¶1. Embassy Bridgetown grants country clearance for Estelle Quain to travel to Barbados on or about April 30 to May 16, to lead the evaluation team of USG support to the Caribbean HIV and AIDS regional training initiative. ¶2. Hotel reservation is made at the Grand Barbados Beach Resort, telephone number (246) 426-4000, confirmation number is 381. If you have any questions please contact Mary Freyder at Tel: (246)227-4118 or Fax: (246)228-8589. ¶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 Grand Barbados Beach Resort, Aquatic Gap, St. Michael is approximately BDS$40.00 (US$20.00). The exchange rate for Barbados is approximately $2.00 BDS (Barbados) dollars for $1.00 U.S. dollar. U.S. currency, traveler's checks, and credit cards are routinely and widely accepted here. The Exchange rate is $2.00 BDS for $1.00 USD. ¶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 1-202-939-9200. ¶5. Departure tax for Barbados is $60.00 BDS or $30.00USD. This should be included in the cost of your ticket. ¶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. OURISMAN