VZCZCXYZ0006
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWN #1307 2081541
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 271541Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3000

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001307 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USDA FOR APHIS/IS/ANGEL CIELO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR OTRA BB
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO STEVENS FOR TRAVEL TO 
BARBADOS 
 
REF: USDA FAS 679302 
 
¶1. Embassy Bridgetown warmly welcomes and grants clearance to 
Timothy Stevens,USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine 
Service,to travel to Barbados from September 24-October 7, 
2006, for the purpose of attending the Giant African Snail 
meeting. 
 
¶2.  Per reftel, Embassy understands assistance is not 
required. There is no information on traveler's lodging.  The 
point of contact for Mr. Stevens while in the country is: 
Ian H. Gibbs, Tel: (246) 428-4150. 
 
¶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 
x2230, or by fax at 246-431-0384. 
 
¶4.  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.  Visitors 
are granted up to 28 days upon entry, which can be extended 
through the Barbados Immigration Department for up to six 
months.  Barbados has a departure tax of 25 Barbados dollars 
or 12.50 U.S. dollars. 
 
¶5.  The exchange rate in Barbados is two Barbados dollars for 
one U.S. dollar.  U.S. currency, traveler's 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