UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000067

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

AIDAC

AIDAC FOR MDRO


E. O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC EAID OTRA AC XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR ARMBRISTER AND SHILLINGFORD
TO TRAVEL TO ANTIGUA

REF: SAN JOSE 000066


1. Embassy Bridgetown grants country clearance to Beryl Armbrister
and Cecil Shillingford to travel to Antigua O/A January 22 and
depart O/A January 27, 2007 to Instruct Shelters and Shelter
Management Course & Initial Damage Assessment Courses.


2. Understand Embassy assistance is not required. If you have any
questions, please contact Mansfield Blackwood 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 exchange rate for
Antigua is approximately 2.70 xcd (Eastern Caribbean) 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
$2.70xcd for $1.00 USD.


4. Entry requirements: A valid U.S. passport is required to enter
Antigua. For further information, travelers may contact the Embassy
of Antigua and Barbuda, 3216 New Mexico Avenue, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20016, telephone (202) 362-5122.


5. Departure tax for Antigua is $50.00 xcd (Eastern Caribbean)
dollars or $19.00 U.S. dollars.


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