COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO MANSFIELD BLACKWOOD

UNCLAS GRENADA 000085 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC OTRA EAID BB GJ XL GY XR SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO MANSFIELD BLACKWOOD REF: BRIDGETOWN 764 ¶1. Embassy Grenada grants country clearance for Mr. Mansfield Blackwood, USAID Senior Technical Officer, to travel to Grenada June 20 - 21, 2007. ¶2. Post understands that the purpose of Mr. Blackwood's visit to Grenada is to inspect sites for final certification under the Hurricane Ivan Program. ¶3. Post acknowledges that Mr. Blackwood has confirmed hotel reservations at the Coyaba Beach Hotel. ¶4. Unfortunately, post's resources do not allow us the flexibility to meet and assist visitors at the airport. The exchange rate is approximately 2.65 XCD (Eastern Caribbean 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. ¶5. Entry requirements: A valid U.S. passport is required to enter Grenada. No visa is required if your stay is under six months, including those travelers arriving with diplomatic or official passports. ¶6. Departure tax for Grenada is $50.00 XCD or $20.00 USD. ¶7. The following is general information pertaining to security and health considerations throughout the Eastern Caribbean: Security -------------- In the Eastern Caribbean, foot travel outside of tourist areas is not generally recommended, especially at night. Be vigilant when using public telephones or ATM facilities 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, visitors have experienced loss of unattended items. All valuables should be locked in room safes. 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. MCISAAC