Tight security for World Cup fans

Cricket fans travelling to the West Indies for the 2007 World Cup will be provided with a high level of security as the host countries for the event will implement security measures of an unprecedented level.

"Cricket World Cup is the world's third largest sporting event and we are expecting thousands of people to Caribbean for it. We will ensure that people feel safe and as a result we will implement several security measures," said Mia Mottley, deputy Prime Minister of Barbados.

She stressed that the region is mindful of the global war on terror and given this reality, security has to be optimal for an event such as Cricket world Cup. She also indicated that Caribbean countries have invested heavily in this area.

"In the Caribbean it may be considered that we are not at risk for acts of terrorism. However the reality dictates that we take every step to ensure that we provide a secure environment for the staging of Cricket World Cup," she added.

One of the cornerstones of the security measures is the CARICOM Special Visa which fans from most countries will need for travel to the venues.

"The Special Visa is a safety net for cricket fans. In implementing this decision for the visa requirement, the host countries have created a single domestic space which will provide for hassle free movement of cricket fans," Mottley said.

The countries in the single domestic space are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The visa issuing sites will be located in the host countries as well as in Toronto, New York, Miami, New Delhi, Sydney, and London.