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