PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

The Bahamas

October 15, 2004

This Public Announcement is being issued to update American citizens regarding travel conditions in The Bahamas in the aftermath of Hurricane Jeanne. This Public Announcement replaces the Public Announcement issued October 12, 2004. It expires on November 28, 2004.

Conditions in Nassau, New Providence, the capital city of The Bahamas, have returned to normal. The international airport, seaport, public services, and the Customs and Border Protection Pre-Clearance Facility at Nassau International Airport are operating normally. Similarly, public and private services in much of the central and southern part of the country that were not severely impacted by recent hurricanes have returned to normal.

The island of Abaco and nearby cays suffered substantial wind and water damage. Restoration of public and private service is progressing. However, it is difficult to estimate when telephone, electricity, water, and sewer services will be fully restored in all areas. U.S. citizens planning to travel to Abaco are advised to consider postponing travel to areas of Abaco still without basic services unless they are able to confirm that the areas and properties that they intend to utilize are functioning.

In Freeport, the largest city on the island of Grand Bahama, the International Airport has resumed limited daylight operations. U.S. citizens planning to travel to Freeport by air should check with their air carrier to determine flight schedules and operations. The pre-clearance facility at Freeport has not resumed functioning. The “ordered departure” status has been rescinded for Embassy operations in Freeport. Visitors staying in hotels should check directly with hotels regarding their operating status. Power has been restored to approximately 85 percent of customers on Grand Bahama. Banks, restaurants, gas stations and supermarkets are functioning. The Embassy advises U.S. citizens considering travel to Grand Bahama to confirm that hotel and resort properties are open and functioning prior to initiating travel.

Americans living or traveling in The Bahamas are encouraged to register with the Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov.

Updated information on travel in The Bahamas may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or from overseas, 1-317-472-2328. For further information please consult the Consular Information Sheet for The Bahamas available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov or contact the U.S. Embassy in Nassau at (242) 322-1181, after hours (242) 328-2206. Please also see the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement.