FAQS COVID 19 & RESPONSES

1. What happens if a national or local lockdown is imposed while I am in Córdoba?

There are several different scenarios that could happen:

  • Total national lockdown/confinement - NOT LIKELY

  • Local perimetral lockdown/confinement by city or province - POSSIBLE

  • Curfew - VERY LIKELY

  • Unless the situation worsens significantly, total confinement such as the one imposed in March, is not likely to happen.  

  • Local confinements are happening in different parts of Spain, but so far not Córdoba.  

  • Although there is still no curfew in Córdoba, the regional government has just established new guidelines for Córdoba in which all stores, bars and restaurants are required to close at 10 PM.  Also, the number of patrons is limited to 50% of capacity.

  • No more than 6 people are allowed to gather in one place.  Therefore, activities at the Anexo will be limited to smaller groups, and if you meet with groups of friends, you must be aware that there cannot be more than 6 people together.  The police will impose a fine.

 In any case, your homestays are prepared to have you “home” all of the time and you certainly will get to know each other well!  Unless there is a lockdown, you will be able to move freely in Córdoba to your classes and activities.  If there is a lockdown, classes and cultural activities will move online.

2. What happens if the airline refuses to let me board the plane?

With the dossier that you will carry with you including various letters indicating that you are on a study program, you should have no problem.  If you do, you should call the OIS office at Wellesley so that they can contact the airline.  If you are stuck at an airport in Europe, you should call the PRESHCO Resident Director so that she can contact the airline.

3. What happens if I get sick with COVID-19 or test positive?

If you are feeling sick and you think that you have symptoms the first two things that you must do are: 

  • Isolate yourself in your bedroom, without any contact with your hosts.

  • Contact a staff member. 

Staff will call 112 (Emergency Service) and we will follow the recommendations from them.

Generally, the following steps need to be followed:

  • Keep a register of body temperature several times during the day. 

  • Emergency Services will call to indicate where and when the person should be tested.  

  • Results will be available in 24-48 hours.  Until then, the student must remain isolated in their room leaving only to go to the bathroom.  Homestay families will leave food outside the door and procure anything that the student needs from stores or pharmacies.

  • If test results are positive, the affected student will either stay at the homestay (if the family agrees) or will be moved to a hotel and attended to by a PRESHCO staff member.  Food will be delivered and medical care will be provided.

  • If hospitalization is required, PRESHCO has a working relationship with two private hospitals; La Cruz Roja and Quirón.  The International SOS insurance policy covers both options.

 4. What happens if one of my host family members gets sick or tests positive?

  • If a host family member tests positive, and the student has been in close contact for more than 15 minutes without a mask, she will need to be quarantined for 10 days.  

  • Depending on the circumstances, the student may stay at the homestay or be moved to a hotel for the duration of the quarantine period. 

  • Classes will be given online.

 5. What happens if I come into contact with someone who gets sick or tests positive?

  • Same as #4 

 6. Can I acquire masks and hand disinfectant in Córdoba?

YES. You can buy these in pharmacies, supermarkets, bazars.

It is mandatory to wear masks everywhere and all of the time. 

7. What are the PRESHCO protocols and guidelines like?

  • All of the cleaning protocols are on the preshco.org/health web page.

  • Guidelines for student life are also on the web page.

8. Can I get tested for COVID-19 in Córdoba?

YES.  PRESHCO has contacted five different testing laboratories and can send students to any of them to be tested, if necessary.

9. What happens if I need to be medically evacuated from Córdoba?

The insurance policy with International SOS covers medical evacuation.  This generally entails traveling by ambulance to the airport in Madrid to take a flight home, normally accompanied by medical personnel.  

10. How do I prepare for travel during COVID-19?

Review the information on our web page Pre-Departure Resources. Here you can find information that you must take into account before travelling to Spain. 

If you are in treatment for any illness you should take medicines enough for the time you are going to spend in Spain. Due to COVID-19 it may take longer to access medical centers, the majority of appointments are telematic. If you are a person at risk, you should contact your doctor to decide if it is recommended to travel to Spain. 

11. Will classes occur in person?

YES.  Unless a student becomes ill or quarantined, or in case of a lockdown.

12. What is the likelihood of the program being cancelled once it has started?

Circumstances would have to change radically for this to happen.  Unless we see a similar situation as in March 2020 (closed US borders and total lockdown in Spain), it is unlikely that students will need to return to the US.  

However, if that happens, PRESHCO is prepared to help students return to the US safely, and to maintain academic continuity online.

13. Will my personal travel be limited? 

YES.  This is a time to get to know Córdoba well.  We are asking that students not travel outside of Córdoba.  If there is a special reason to travel, it must be approved by the Resident Director.

14. What are the consequences if I do not follow PRESHCO protocols or Spanish government-mandated regulations?

We do not anticipate any problems with students putting themselves and others at risk by flouting mandates and guidelines.  However, if it does happen, homestay families have been advised to let PRESHCO know of any incidents.  The student will be placed in a hotel AT THE STUDENT´S EXPENSE. NO EXCEPTIONS!

If mandates continue to be disregarded, the student will be required to leave the program and travel expenses to their home will also be at her expense.