VZCZCXYZ0012
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWN #0913 1462009
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 262009Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2578

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000913 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
CDC REF ATD #1633 
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV OTRA KSCA AC XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO RICHARD DAVIS FOR 
TRAVEL TO ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA 
 
REF: CDC ATLANTA GA 1657 
 
¶1. Embassy Bridgetown welcomes and grants clearance to 
Richard Davis, Management and Program Analyst, Center for 
Disease Control (CDC), for travel to Antigua and Barbuda June 
4-11, 2006.  Mr. Davis will participate in the Third 
Caribbean Environmental Forum and Exhibition and will present 
the PAHO/CDC/EPA, Environmental Protection Agency Partnership 
and the Water Safety Plan demonstration project that is 
currently in Spanishtown, Jamaica. 
 
¶2. Per reftel, Embassy understands assistance is not 
required.  Mr. Davis will stay at the Grand Royal Antiguan 
Beach Resort, telephone 268/462-3733. 
 
¶3. Embassy Bridgetown requests an outbrief be provided to the 
Political-Economic Section relating to activities while in 
the region within 10 working days of completion of travel. 
Please provide the outbrief by telephone, 246/436-4950 X2228, 
or by fax at 246/431-0384. 
 
¶4. Entry 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.  There is a 
departure tax of 50 xcd (Eastern Caribbean) dollars or 19 
U.S. dollars. 
 
¶5. The exchange rate in Antigua and Barbuda is 2.70 xcd 
(Eastern Caribbean) dollars for one U.S. dollar.  U.S. 
currency, travelers' checks, and credit cards are routinely 
and widely accepted. 
 
¶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 
------ 
 
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. 
KRAMER