VZCZCXYZ0003
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWN #0396 0941533
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 041533Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 5841
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4479

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000396 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
AIDAC 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: AMGT EAID ASEC OTRA BB XL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO NOBLE TO TRAVEL TO BARBADOS 
 
REF: SANTO DOMINIGO 00725 
 
¶1. EMBASSY BRIDGETOWN GRANTS COUNTRY CLEARANCE TO DAVID NOBLE, 
REGIONAL CONTROLLER, TO TRAVEL TO BARBADOS ON OR ABOUT APRIL 17-21, 
2007 TO PREPARE FOR THE TRANSFER OF THE BARBADOS MISSION ACCOUNTING 
RECORDS FROM JAMAICA TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. 
 
¶2. EMBASSY POINT OF CONTACT IS USAID REPRESENTATIVE JAMES GOGGIN, 
PHONE: 1(246) 227-4118, FAX: 1(246)228-8589. MR. NOBLE WILL BE MET 
AT THE AIRPORT, BY LIONEL FRANKLYN, USAID DRIVER, AND TAKEN TO THE 
ALLAMANDA BEACH HOTEL, HASTING CHRIST CHURCH, TELPHONE (246) 
438-1000. 
 
¶3. THE EXCHANGE RATE IS APPROXIMATELY 2.00 BDS FOR $1.00 USD. U.S 
CURRENCY, TRAVELER'S CHECKS, AND CREDIT CARDS ARE ROUTINELY AND 
WIDELY ACCEPTED HERE. 
 
¶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. THERE IS A DEPARTURE 
TAX OF BDS$60.00 OR US$30.00 WHICH SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE COST OF 
THE AIRTICKET. 
 
¶5.  THE FOLLOWING GENERAL INFORMATION PERTAINS TO TRANSPORTATION, 
SECURITY AND HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS IN 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 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, MANY VISITORS HAVE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF 
UNATTENDED ITEMS.  HOTEL BURGLARIES ARE NOT UNCOMMON, AND 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.  BARBADOS HAS THE BEST 
MEDICAL FACILITIES OF ALL THE ISLANDS IN THE REGION AND MOST OF THE 
MEDICAL SPECIALTIES HAVE PRACTITIONERS HERE. 
 
OURISMAN