COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO USG DEL TO CEP IGM

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000507

SIPDIS

STATE FOR OES/OA - DHERMANN
STATE PLS PASS TO EPA, NOAA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA SENV XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO USG DEL TO CEP IGM
MEETING IN ANTIGUA

REF: STATE 85307


1. Embassy Bridgetown welcomes and grants clearance to Dave
Hermann (State/OES),Elizabeth McLanahan (NOAA),Patrick
Cotter (EPA),Matthew Burton (State/L),Timothy Lattimer
(State/EST REO San Jose),and Ed Kruze (NOAA) to travel to
Antigua and Barbuda from September 7-14, 2008 to attend the
13th intergovernmental meeting of the Caribbean Environment
Programme. Per reftel, Embassy understands that no further
assistance is requested. Embassy POC for this visit is EST&H
Officer Jake Aller: tel. 246-227-4274.


2. Entry/departure requirements: Mission policy is that all
USG travelers to the region be in possession of a valid
passport. Visas are not required for short visits.


3. The exchange rate in Antigua and Barbuda is 2.7 Eastern
Caribbean (EC) dollars for one U.S. dollar. U.S. currency,
traveler's checks, and credit cards are routinely and widely
accepted.


4. 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