September 13, 2003
US Closes Pre-Clearance Facilities
The United States Embassy announced last night that due to Hurricane Isabel, currently a class 5 hurricane, the United States government is closing its pre-clearance facilities in Nassau and Freeport.
This is a temporary measure, said the Embassy. Although the same "drunks" who correctly predicted the departure of former US Ambassador Richard Blankenship seem to think that the move may be a precursor of things to come, given the ever-increasing security surrounding air travel to the United States.
During the period that the pre-clearance facilities are closed, air travellers to the United States, who are not US citizens, will only be able to fly if they are in possession of a passport with a valid US visa.
The United States Embassy is currently in a status of "authorised departure" for non-essential American employees and dependents.
The Embassy has publicly indicated that the pre-clearance facilities will re-open and resume operations as soon as the hurricane has passed and staff has returned.
Clearance to the US will now have to be given upon arrival in the United States. Bahamians will not be able to travel on just a passport and a police record.
Posted by admin at September 13, 2003 03:11 PM