Dear members, partners & friends,
Between the presidential election and a global pandemic, it's safe to say that we are witnessing historic times. Truly historic were also the events unfolding thirty plus years ago that lead to the peaceful reunification of Germany which became official on October 3rd 1990. The German Consulate will pay tribute to this anniversary with a virtual celebration tomorrow at 5PM. (For those of you who are up for fresh air and social distancing, join us for our historic walk in the morning, see below).
In GABC news, we are delighted to announce that Siemens joined us as the presenting sponsor of our Smart Cities virtual event series and German-American Economic Forum 2021. More to come on this. We are kicking off the monthly event series on October 16th, where Jaime Paris Boisvert, GM at Siemens Infrastructure will be speaking. Please join us for this lunch hour of expert conversation. Details and registration below.
Lufthansa (Boston) shared with us their plans for winter travel and Germany has lifted the global travel warning and implemented instead country specific guidelines.
Check out today's largest edition of the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" which is also available in digital format -- it includes a special section on German unification.
Last week's #poll was very popular -- and very conclusive! Will ask it again a year from now.
Stay healthy.
Emily Westhoven
Executive Director
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Weekly Poll (we should call it trivia this week)
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This question closes on 10/07: |
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Results from last week's poll: |
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Still a few "spots" available |
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Non-members: Please register and pay via our registration page. |
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We won't be able to come together for our annual Oktoberfest, but we are looking forward to enjoying crisp fall air for a brisk, socially distanced hike along a truly historic trail on the Day of German Unity commemorating the 30th anniversary of German unification. This event will be limited in participants and masks required in case social distancing on the trail is not possible.
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2020
Time: 10AM to mid-day
Cost: Free for members | $5 per non-member
First Come First Serve, but registration required.
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Members: Please email us your name(s). This will serve as your RSVP. We need to keep tap on numbers. |
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Launch Event: Smart Cities Virtual Series |
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The city after COVID-19: How will the pandemic impact the built environment? Will the home office mean the end of city office space? Will less office and retail space mean more residential housing and green spaces? And how can smart technology make a city pandemic resilient, ensure public health in the working and living environment and keep citizens safe in their daily interactions with the city?
Panelists:
- Jaime Paris Boisvert, GM, Siemens Infrastructure
- Lars Leitner, SVP, Turner Construction:
- Rick Dimino, CEO, A Better City (Moderator)
Date: Friday, October 16th, 2020
Time: Noon to 1PM
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This will be the first in a series of monthly "Smart Cities" virtual events leading up to our German-American Economic Forum, now scheduled for Spring 2021. #GAEF2021 |
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Next Tuesday! Oktober(fest) virtual Stammtisch |
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It's Oktoberfest time, so it comes natural to bring that theme to our (virtual) table at home:
For the "icebreaker" next week, be prepared to introduce yourself and your favorite (Oktober) Drink. That could be one of the famous German beers enjoyed during this time of year in Munich or Boston. But maybe you don't drink beer, maybe you prefer a sour Apple Cider Mojito or a spicy Pumpkin Infused Chai Latte?! We love to hear it. And if you would like to dust off your Dirndl or Lederhosen, please, don't hold back. We would love to see you in traditional Oktoberfest outfit when you are on the screen. Of course, this is all not a must but rather serves as guidance to mix "things up".
Date: Tuesday, October 6th, 2020
Time: 7PM
RSVP required to receive Zoom link
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Who is the Stammtisch for?
The Stammtisch is conceived and hosted by the GABC Young Professionals.
It is open to everyone: GABC members and non-members, Young Professionals and newcomers to New England or to the GABC and who share a common interest in Germany. Join us!
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Save-the-Date for our virtual Holiday Celebration where we will close out this year with a getting together we never had before, filled with entertainment, opportunity to socialize and yes, a reflection on 2020!
Look out for more information and block your calendar.
Date: Friday, December 4th, 2020
Time: 6PM
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Hamburg Health Startups Meet U.S. Investors
Hamburg Invest and German Accelerator present: A bridge between health innovation in Northern Germany and the U.S.: German and U.S. experts exchange views on the respective health startups ecosystems, similarities, and differences. Five start-ups will be pitching to a jury of investors.
When: October 8th | Time: 1PM to 2:30PM EDT | Register |
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MIT Enterprise Forum:Once Upon a Time in...Medical Device and Open Source Land
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Aging with Technology
The good news is: We are getting older. The bad news is: We are getting older. The panel of German and American experts will discuss the effects of supply and care concepts that are specially tailored to the needs of older people. The focus is on self-determination, social participation, and health-related quality of life. Presented by GABA California and InnoHealthUSA - an initiative of "Research in Germany".
When: October 15th | Time: 12PM to 1:30PM EDT | Register
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Almost 250 meetings during Euro-American Business Connect |
This week, we co-hosted our first speed networking event which we held in lieu of our typical in-person annual Euro-American event. Here are a few comments we received:
"Phantastic event and organization in very challenging times! Thank you GABC for being innovative and coming up with this idea!"
"Fun & entertaining with a real networking feeling. Refreshing!"
"I really enjoyed the format. I thought it worked very well and I made some good connections."
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Patent Attorney (Organic Chemistry)
Hamilton, Brook, Smith & Reynolds, P.C., an intellectual property boutique law firm with offices in Boston and Concord, MA, seeks a Patent Prosecution Associate for its Life Sciences team. A Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or related discipline, J.D. from an accredited law school with admission to at least one state bar, and registration with the USPTO are required. More information and to apply here.
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Update from Lufthansa / Logan Airport (10/1) |
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LH422/423 (BOS-FRA) will remain at 5 weekly flights for the duration of the winter schedule, but days of operation and timings will change. It is still the only direct flight to Germany out of Logan. The BOS-MUC flight may be introduced next March pending further developments.
LX54/55 (BOS-ZRH) will return on October 10 twice weekly (arrival in BOS Thu and Sat | Departure Fri and Sun) and may increase to three times a week in March.
Lufthansa Lounge is open on Lufthansa and Swiss flight-operating days, 4 hours prior to departure.
All of these announcements are subject to re-evaluation at any point given the uncertainty of the current situation, so expect frequent short-term changes in the schedule.
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In the News | Pressespiegel |
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VC-backed group offers Covid-19 testing help to Mass. employers |
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"An organization recently launched by F-Prime Capital, GV and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard aims to offer low-cost coronavirus testing to Boston-area employers, including through a new partnership with the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce."
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Merck KGaA Names One of Germany’s Only Female Company Chiefs |
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"Merck KGaA said that Belen Garijo will take over as chief executive officer in May, replacing Stefan Oschmann and becoming one of the only female top executives in Germany. Garijo is currently deputy CEO and head of the health-care unit at the Darmstadt, Germany-based company. Oschmann is leaving as planned after a decade at the science conglomerate, half of which he served as CEO, according to a statement."
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Thirty years after reunification, Germany is shouldering more responsibility |
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October 3rd edition, 2020 |
"Thirty years on, German reunification has been a resounding success. East Germans were freed from the dull yoke of communism. With just three chancellors in three decades, the new, liberated Germany has been steady and pragmatic. It has championed the expansion of the European Union to the east and the creation of the euro. It has powered solid if unspectacular growth across a continent—at least until covid-19. Europe survived the economic crisis of 2007-08, the euro panic of 2010-12 and the migration surge of 2015-16. Germany has thrown its weight around less than sceptics feared, though indebted southern Europeans are still sore about crisis-era austerity."
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Die größte F.A.Z. des Jahres |
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"Am Freitag erscheint die F.A.Z. mit einer Auflage von einer halben Million Exemplaren. Das Thema 30 Jahre Deutsche Einheit ist Schwerpunkt einer achtseitigen Redaktionsbeilage. Die Printausgabe ist erstmals mit Augmented Reality Features angereichert."
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As you may be thinking about summer travel plans, we compiled a few guidelines and restrictions that are in place. Ohne Gewähr: Please note that this may change at any time and please always refer to the most updated information issued by the respective countries.
Travel to Germany:
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The German government, in coordination with the German states, has announced the easing of border restrictions with neighboring countries. On June 15, travelers already within the Schengen Zone will be able to travel more freely into Germany.
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At this time, airlines are resuming additional direct flights between the United States and Germany. Please note: travel restrictions are still in effect for travel from the United States to Germany. (Source: U.S. Embassies & Consulates in Germany)
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U.S. citizens who are not residents of the EU and do not fall into one of several narrow exceptions will be denied entry to Germany. Travelers should be prepared for the possibility that additional travel restrictions will be implemented with little or no advance notice. (Source: U.S. Embassies & Consulates in Germany)
- In case you enter Germany from abroad and have been in a risk area* for 14 days prior to entry, generally, a 14- day quarantine is mandatory. Exceptions are possible in the case of a negative PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 for a maximum of 48 hours before entry or after entry. Travellers from EU countries, the Schengen area and the United Kingdom are not required to quarantine for 14 days on arrival in Germany unless their entry is from a country with a high infection rate* and the corresponding regulation of the federal state** requires this. (Source: Robert Koch Institut)
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UPDATE 7/1: As of July 1, the European Union announced the lifting of travel restrictions for some non-E.U. countries (see text here) but restrictions remain in place for the United States. (Source: U.S. Embasssies & Consulates in Germany)
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UPDATE 7/10: *The Robert Koch Institut has determined that the entire U.S. is considerend a country with a high infection rate, and does not exclude certain states (as it did previously) The list ist being updated daily.
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UPDATE 8/14: American spouses/family members of German citizens can now enter Germany to reunite with their partners/familys. (Source: Federal Foreign Office)
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UPDATE 9/25: There will be more
Travel to U.S. from Europe
- Foreign nationals who have been in any of the following countries during the past 14 days may not enter the United States:
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European Schengen area Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City
- United Kingdom
- Republic of Ireland
- Citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United States, certain family members, and other individuals who meet specified exceptions who have been in one of the countries listed above in the past 14 days will be allowed to enter the United States through one of 15 airports
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After arriving to the United States from one of these countries, CDC recommends that travelers stay home and monitor their health for 14 days. (Source: CDC) UPDATE 6/26: Executive Order "Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak"
UPDATE for Massachusetts as of 7/24: Today, Governor Baker issued a new travel order stating that effective August 1, 2020, all visitors and returning residents entering Massachusetts are required to "Complete the Massachusetts Travel Form prior to arrival, unless you are visiting from a lower-risk state designated by the Department of Public Health; to quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts. If your COVID-19 test result has not been received prior to arrival, visitors, and residents must quarantine until they receive a negative test result. Failure to comply may result in a $500 fine per day." More information
UPDATE 8/14: "Students traveling from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland with valid F-1 and M-1 visas do not need to contact an embassy or consulate to seek an individual national interest exception to travel." (Source: U.S. Dept. of State)
UPDATE 8/21: Those with valid L-1 visas on 6/24/2020 may be eligible for an NIE:
As a result of recent guidance, many categories of travel that provide a substantial economic benefit to the U.S. economy are eligible for a National Interest Exception (NIE) to the Presidential Proclamation on Suspension of Entry for Nonimmigrants and Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus (PPNCOV). This includes, but is not limited to investors, technical experts and specialists as well as senior-level managers and executives and their dependents.
To inquire about eligibility and to confirm this information contact a U.S. Consulate in Germany.
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UPDATED: Free Covid-19 Testing at Frankfurt Airport
Lufthansa has partnered with Centogene to offer fast PCR Corona tests. The test, certified by the relevant health authorities in Germany, only requires a throat swab and provides results within six hours. The test results are delivered via an app link.
Location: Frankfurt Airport between Terminal 1 and the long-distance railway station (ICE Bahnhof)
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Cost: Standard Process: 59€ incl. VAT – Results within 12 hours after sample receipt in >98% of cases
Express Process: 139€ incl. VAT – Results within 6 hours after sample receipt in >98% of cases
For an additional charge of 9€, there is the option to add identity verification on to your purchase. Your identification details, including your passport number/travel document details, will be included on the medical report - verifying that the test results belong to you and have not been tampered with.
NEW: Mandatory tests on return to or arrival in Germany from high risk countries
Travellers arriving in Germany from regions with an increased risk of infection will have to undergo a coronavirus test from the beginning of August 2020. The test is free of charge and can be carried out, for example, at test centres at the airports. The obligatory test must be done within a maximum of 72 hours after entering the country. Tests from abroad are accepted, provided they are not older than 48 hours at the time of arrival. (Source: Lufthansa)
Update 9/28: As of September 15th, travelers arriving from high risk countries will continue to have the right to receive a test free of charge. (Source)
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Testing is also available at
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Our annual supporters (thank you) |
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GERMAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL of BOSTON
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