State Dept Travel Advisory - Level 1

Level 1 Travel Advisory Issued for Barbados

USA, Canada, and the UK governments have issued travel advisories regarding crime on Barbados
bridgetown barbados marina
Caribbean (Precision Vaccinations News)

The US State Department, and the UK and Canadian governments are advising visitors to Barbados that there have been incidents of violent crime, including armed robbery and sexual assaults. 

These Travel Advisories are important since over 450,000 people visit Barbados each year. Most of these visitors are from the UK, the USA, and Canada. 

This new State Department Level 1 Travel Advisory issued on March 5, 2019, says visitors should ‘Exercise Normal Precautions’ while visiting Barbados, and to avoid certain areas, such as:

  • Crab Hill, St. Lucy
  • Ivy, St. Michael
  • Nelson Street, Bridgetown (at night)
  • Wellington Street, Bridgetown (at night)
  • Jolly Roger and Buccaneer Cruises (at night)
  • Maxwell Coast Road (at night)

And, if you do visit Barbados, exercise increased caution in the following areas:

  • Black Rock
  • Deacons
  • Carrington Village
  • Green Fields
  • New Orleans
  • Pine

Additionally, the UK government says visitors to Barbados should take great care at all times when swimming. Currents can be deceptively strong on this island, including on some of the popular beaches on the south and west coasts. 

Some Barbados beaches don’t have lifeguards and/or warning flags and drownings have occurred. You should monitor all beaches carefully and obey any local warnings. 

Barbados is is an island country of 277,00 people in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, located in the Caribbean region of North America, and is an independent British Commonwealth nation.     

Previously, on January 19th, 2019, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) issued a warning to Caribbean countries saying ‘to brace for a severe outbreak of the dengue fever.’ 

CARPHA is advising Caribbean countries to implement enhanced measures to reduce mosquito breeding and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. This advice is important since the Aedes aegypti mosquito spreads dengue, and is present in all Caribbean territories. 

Additionally, the Canadian and UK health authorities have classified Barbados as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. For more information and advice, visit the website of the National Travel Health Network and Centre. 

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), says to ensure you are up-to-date on several Routine Vaccines and suggests Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations, prior to visiting Barbados. 

These vaccines and related medications can be found at most pharmacies in the USA. 

Pre-trip, vaccine and medication counseling appointments can be scheduled at Vax-Before-Travel. 

The US State Department says visitors to Barbados should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

And, U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations, such as this Traveler’s Checklist.

 

Our Trust Standards: Medical Advisory Committee

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