Coronavirus in Valencia: Staying Safe

Coronavirus in Valencia: Staying Safe

Recently, local news outlets reported that cases of coronavirus (also known as Covid-19) have been confirmed in Valencia.

As there is a lot of misinformation being shared online, we have decided to publish the following safety guide and information sheet about the virus.

What is the coronavirus?

Covid-19 is a virus from the same family as the common cold. Coronaviruses get their name from the crown shapes found on the virus itself.

How does it spread?

You may have heard that Covid-19 is not airborne, and so it only spreads through touching infected surfaces, such as door handles. However, this is a little misleading. An airborne virus means a virus that is present in the air and can be inhaled. The Covid-19 virus can be transmitted through sneezing or coughing, as it may be present in the liquid droplets, so whilst it isn’t airborne in that it isn’t floating around in the air, it can still be acquired without touching an infected patient.

Is it worse than the flu?

As far as we know, the mortality rate of Covid-19 is somewhere between 1-2%, which makes it more deadly than seasonal flu. However, the mortality rate could either go up or down as more data comes in through the medical community.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms initially involve a fever, followed by a dry cough and, after a week, shortness of breath. There may also be a headache and muscle pain. Symptoms may not appear for weeks after exposure.

Below we have collected some tips to stay safe in the event of the virus spreading around the Valencia region.

 

1. Wash your hands frequently with soap, hand-wash or warm water, particularly after touching public surfaces such as door handles and buttons on buses or ATMs.
2. Cover your mouth when sneezing with your elbow or a tissue. Sneezing or coughing into your hand means the next surface you touch will be covered in germs!
3. Stay hydrated if you have a fever and take it easy. Try to avoid close contact with others and if you suspect it could be coronavirus, call the Valencian Coronavirus hotline on +34 900 300 555 or the Spanish emergency number, 112
4. Consider using a face mask if you’re already ill but be aware that masks may not protect you from contracting the virus. Research over the effectiveness of face masks is patchy and official guidelines suggest that washing hands and avoiding large crowds is a more reliable method of prevention than wearing a face mask.
If you do wish to purchase a mask, they can be found in pharmacies and some Chinese shops.
5. Avoid large gatherings if you’re in a high risk group  or if you live with someone who is. High risk groups include those with existing health problems, such as chronic lung or heart disease and immuno-deficiency diseases. 

 

Erasmus in Valencia

So you’ve just arrived in Valencia as an Erasmus Student. Perhaps it’s your first time living abroad, or maybe this is your first trip to Spain. You’ve got a lot to look forward to!

Below you can find some useful information, guides, groups and tips to make your adventure in Valencia easier and more rewarding. We hope you have a great time in the city and we’re sure you’ll return!

 

Erasmus Groups

At InterVLC we’ve set up several useful WhatsApp groups for Erasmus students, locals and foreigners alike. Feel free to join any of the groups below!

Valencia Erasmus

Valencia Expats

Valencia Events and Parties

Valencia Game Nights

Valencia Language Exchanges

Valencia Travellers and Locals

 

Guides

We publish regular guides on our website, which we share around social media for your benefit. Our guides include:

Useful Apps

Supermarkets

Banking

 

Events

We organise regular weekly events, including language exchanges, a pub quiz, pool tournaments, beach parties and board game nights. Browse through our events section and join in!

 

Useful Apps for Valencia

Useful Apps for Valencia

 

General Info

  • AppValencia –  useful information about Valencia in realtime, from the local government
  • Ociosear – information about cultural events
  • Xceed – information about social events and parties

Transportation

    • Cabify – a taxi service similar to Uber
    • EMT Valencia – the official app for buses in Valencia
    • Free Now – another taxi service similar to Uber
  • Metro Valencia – the official app for the metro in Valencia
  • Moovit – a guide to public transportation including maps (a decent alternative to Google Maps)
  • Movo – a sharing service for scooters and motorbikes
  • Renfe Cercanias app – the official app for regional train tickets and schedules
  • Yego – electric moped and scooter hire

Public Services

  • Correos – the official app for the Spanish postal service, including mail tracking
  • AlertCops – a citizen alert service allowing you to contact the Spanish law enforcement agencies
  • Telpark – manage your car parking payments in regulated areas and receive expiration alerts

Food delivery and restaurants

  • Too Good To Go – order food at a discount rate from restaurants and takeaways that would otherwise go to waste
  • Deliveroo – a food delivery service
  • Glovo –  a food delivery service
  • El tenedor – this app, which means “The Fork” grants discounts at participating restaurants

Shopping and Classifieds

  • Wallapop – an app for second hand items, searchable by location
  • Milanuncios – another app for classifieds including rentals and property

Property and Rentals

  • Badi – find a room or apartment to rent based on area and customisable filters 
  • Idealista – find a room or apartment to rent or buy based on area and customisable filters (a little more in-depth than Badi)
  • RoomMate – manage your expenses with your flatmates using this app
Banking

Banking

There are many banks in Valenica, however opening a new account can be confusing. Some banks in Valencia employ staff who speak English, but many do not. In addition, many banks will require an NIE or DNI number. Thankfully there are some alternatives!

A German online bank, N26, has recently started providing Spanish IBAN numbers, meaning your account will act like a Spanish bank account. Signing up is easy and involves a video chat in which you’ll need your passport. The standard account is free of charges, making it a better option than many Spanish banks. If you’re interested in signing up, you can click here to open an account.

If you’d rather use one of the traditional Spanish bank accounts we’ve compiled a list of the major banks you can find in Valencia. Be aware that, although we’ve tried to be as accurate as possible, there may be hidden charges and we would strongly advise you to take a Spanish-speaking friend with you when opening a bank account if your Spanish isn’t great.

Bankia 

Bankia is widespread throughout Valencia and offers an account called Cuenta_ON with no fees or commissions. This is an online account with a debit card and can be opened online or in a branch. Bear in mind that, as with many Spanish banks, you’ll still be charged a fee if you use another bank’s ATM.

BBVA

BBVA is one of Spain’s biggest banks and claims to offer commission-free accounts. You can find more information here (in English) including options for a fee-less online account and a young person’s account for people between 18 to 29.

Santander

If you’re from the UK Santander will be familiar to you. Santander is Spain’s largest bank and branches can be found all over the city. They have a number of special ATMs in which you can pay your bills at any time of day or night directly into another Santander account, which can be useful given Spain’s limited banking hours.

Other banks include CaixaBankSabadell and Banco Popular Español. When selecting a bank, weigh up the pros and cons carefully – most of the above banks have branches all over the city, but if you’re living in a more rural area you might want to choose based on geographical convenience. Most ATMs have an English option (as well as other languages) but the level of English in branches may vary.

 

Keeping Cool During the Night

Keeping Cool During the Night

Keeping cool in Valencia can be difficult during the summer. The months of July and August are particularly hot. Sleepless nights are a common occurrence, especially if you’ve just arrived and haven’t acclimatised!

Below you can find our top five tips for keeping cool during the summer.

 

1. Keep your windows closed during the hottest part of the day. Make sure your blinds, shutters or curtains are drawn to keep the sun out. Once the sun goes down, make sure to keep the windows open – just be aware that mosquitoes may want to join you during the night!

2. Use fans near an open window. At night time, position your fan near an open window to draw in colder air from outside. If you’re really struggling to sleep, try putting a bowl of ice cubes in front of the fan. You can purchase a cheap fan from the various Chinese shops around Valencia, or find them on Wallapop. For second hand fans, try looking in May or June when many students are leaving the city and are willing to sell second-hand items at a discount.

3. Consider an air conditioning unit. Some apartments come with AC included, but many don’t. However, you can purchase a portable AC unit from shops such as MediaMarkt or El Corte Inglés. These are often expensive, so consider a second-hand unit if you can find one!

4. Take a lukewarm shower or bath before going to bed. Strangely, there is scientific evidence to suggest that cold showers actually warm your body, even if they make you feel colder at first. Try a lukewarm shower instead, as this will cool you down for a longer period of time.

5. Take a siesta! Adopt the Spanish tradition of the siesta if your schedule allows it – this can be a great way to catch up on sleep if you find it too hot during the night. Make sure your windows and shutters are closed and that the room is as dark as possible. Research has shown that optimal nap times are either 20-30 minutes or 90 minutes. The first option acts as a short boost, allowing you to get through the day, and the second sends your body into a full sleep cycle. If you have the time and you’re suffering from many sleepless nights, opt for a 90 minute nap – just remember to set an alarm!

Supermarkets in Valencia

Supermarkets in Valencia

Shopping for food in Valencia can be a little confusing to newcomers. Here you can find a brief guide for the most common supermarkets in Valencia. In general, the supermarkets below are around the same price range, but El Corte Inglés is a little more expensive.

Supermarkets are widely dispersed throughout the city, and your neighbourhood, or barrio will almost certainly have a supermarket within five minutes’ walk. Typically supermarkets in Valencia are open from Monday to Saturday, but there are a few exceptions – for example, Carrefour Express and Supercor are small supermarkets open on Sundays, and there’s usually one within 10 – 15 minutes from your apartment. Some of the larger supermarkets, such as the Carrefour hypermarkets and some branches of El Corte Inglés (a department store with its own supermarket) are also open on Sundays. It’s worth noting that during public holidays and festivals, Consum, Mercadona and Dia will be closed.

Major supermarkets include:

Mercadona – Not open on Sundays, typical opening hours 9.00 – 21.30

Dia –  Not open on Sundays, opening hours vary

Consum – Not open on Sundays*, typical opening hours 9.00 – 21.30

Lidl – Not open on Sundays, typical opening hours 9.00 – 22.00

Aldi – Open on Sundays, typical opening hours 9.00 – 21.30 (10.00 – 21.00 on Sundays)

Carrefour – Some stores open on Sundays, opening hours vary

El Corte Inglés – Some stores open on Sundays, opening hours vary

There are also many organic supermarkets, often featuring “bio” in the name. These can be expensive but are often the only place in which to find certain meat alternatives or more exotic fruit and vegetables.

 

*Consum has a branch of stores known as Charter, some of which are open on Sundays.

 

 

San Juan

San Juan

What is San Juan?

San Juan is an annual festival of fire that takes place around Spain during the Summer Equinox. In Valencia, San Juan is celebrated on beaches around the city.

What happens during the festival?

Unlike Las Fallas and other traditional festivals, there are no costume parades or religious offerings. Instead, thousands of small bonfires are built on the beach. During the course of the night, merrymakers gather around the fires with food, drink (lots of drink!) and relax. At midnight, many venture into the sea to jump the waves and make a wish. Another tradition is to jump the fire – which, given the combination of alcohol and darkness can be somewhat dangerous!

What should I look out for?

San Juan has a somewhat unfair reputation as a night in which anything goes, including crime. However, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your belongings, and consider taking a backup phone or small amount of cash instead of your wallet and iPhone 7. Malvarrosa in particular can be very crowded on the night of San Juan, which makes it a favourite target of pickpockets.

It’s also worth noting that there is a lot of smoke during San Juan, so those with respiratory problems or illnesses may be affected. In general, San Juan is one of the most popular and spectacular festivals in the Valencian province – stay safe and have a great night out!

 

Welcome to International Valencia!

Welcome to International Valencia!

Valencia - Spain's best kept secret

As Spain’s third city, Valencia has often been overlooked by tourists.  Things change, however, and these days Valencia is on the rise!  Increasingly, foreigners of all kinds are discovering the city – tourists, expats, digital nomads and Erasmus students are descending on Spain’s third city in droves.

At InterVLC, we want you to be able to enjoy your time here in Valencia, whether you’re staying for a few weeks, a few months or a few decades!  Consider this website as a hub in which you can explore all Valencia has to offer.  You can find a room or a flat, learn about the famous Fallas Festival, discover new restaurants and bars and even look for a job.  We have an Events section containing links to popular recurring language exchanges, parties, workshops and more, and we aim to support local artists and creative types through our community portal.

Whatever you want from Valencia, we’re here to make it easy for you to experience the best of the city!