Dear members, partners & friends,
rising numbers of Corona cases are worrying Germany and the country is reacting with localized responses and restrictions hoping to avoid another nationwide shutdown. In the U.S., the news cycle around the President, the elections and the virus is dizzying, to say the least.
Getting away from the daily grind, news cycle and screens was especially rewarding during our member hike last week (see recap below). If you enjoy walks, would you join us at another time? Let us know here!
In GABC news, we are delighted that Siemens joined us as the presenting sponsor of our Smart Cities virtual event series and German-American Economic Forum 2021. We are kicking off our monthly event series next Friday, 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.
Wishing all of our members and friends here in the U.S. a wonderful long weekend.
Stay healthy.
Emily Westhoven
Executive Director
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This question closes on 10/15: |
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Results from last week's poll: |
From 1954 until 1990, June 17th served as the German National Holiday. In 1990, October 3rd was dedicated as the Day of German Unity (and both days were celebrated that year). |
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Industrial water treatment plant
MilliporeSigma inaugurated a new $14.4 million industrial water treatment plant at its Jaffrey, New Hampshire, location on Oct. 6. The upgraded system incorporates advanced technology and is the first of MilliporeSigma’s facilities worldwide to use anaerobic digestion, which treats biodegradable waste and is widely employed as a renewable energy source. The new, industrial water reclamation center reduces the load on the town treatment works, while also supporting future growth at the company’s Jaffrey facility.
New Leadership announced for LifeSciences business
Matthias Heinzel will join the Executive Board of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, effective April 1, 2021, at the latest. He will assume board responsibility for the Life Science business sector and will be located in Burlington, Massachusetts, and Darmstadt, Germany. Heinzel is currently President Nutrition & Biosciences at DuPont and is based in Copenhagen, Denmark. He is a Member of DuPont’s Executive Board. Prior to that he held various global executive positions at DuPont in the U.S. and Germany since 2003. The German national studied industrial engineering at the Technical University Darmstadt, Germany, and holds a doctorate in business administration. He started his career at McKinsey.
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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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Most cities around the world face a common issue: city centers have largely lost their mixed use as they have been taken over by commercial activity (shopping, entertainment, work) while residential life has moved to the peripheries or “hip” (and expensive) quarters, leading to long commutes into the city, exacerbating traffic (and emissions), empty city centers after workhours.
We will explore how the U.S. and Germany (and other parts of the world) use different approaches and technologies to tackle these challenges, including looking at the example of Hamburg’s HafenCity (HarborCity) project.
Panelists:
- Matt Noblett, Partner, Behnisch Architekten (Moderator)
- Mike Lake, CEO, Leading Cities
- Gesa Ziemer, Professor, Hamburg HafenCity University
Date: Tuesday, November 12th, 2020
Time: Noon to 1PM
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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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Validating and Sharing Scientific Information
During the fifth in a series of live, virtual Pandemic Response Catalyst Conversations, leading scientific experts, including Dr. Vin Gupta, will discuss facts vs. fiction surrounding Covid-19 virus, and how we should communicate to the public during these challenging times, cutting through the clutter. Hosted by Renee Connolly, Head of Global Communications, MilliporeSigma.
When: October 13th | Time: 10AM to 11:00PM 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: Oct15th | Time: 12PM to 1:30PM EDT | Register |
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Great Fall Hike on Day of German Unity |
Last Saturday, on the Day of German Unity, a group of outdoor enthusiasts, or more accurately, GABC members who were thrilled to enjoy the outdoors while chatting with fellow members, met at the Battle Road Trail in Concord, MA and hiked some 8 miles in what turned out to be a beautiful Indian Summer day. There was coffee to start off in the morning and a picknick half way -- and a feeling of great accomplishment at the end of the historic trail that made Paul Revere famous.
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No Oktoberfest this year, but a virtual Oktober(fest) Stammtisch this past Tuesday hosted by the YPs for members and newcomers. The talk was all around the Munich Oktoberfest, personal experiences, the best beer and favorite drinks.
Save the date for the next virtual Stammtisch on Tuesday, November 10th!
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Executive Director of Development
Deutsches Altenheim Foundation, the supporting and fundraising organization for Deutsches Altenheim, Inc. (a senior living and elder care community in West Roxbury, MA) is seeking an Executive Director of Development. The position will lead Deutsches Altenheim Foundation Board and Deutsches Altenheim, Inc. senior staff to identify funding and donor engagement opportunities. More information here.
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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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Trump moves to tighten visa access for high-skilled foreign workers |
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"The rules will directly affect foreign workers and employers, especially tech companies that have long supported the H-1B program and pushed hard for its expansion. Kenneth Cuccinelli, the acting deputy secretary of homeland security, said he expected the changes to cut by one-third the number of petitions filed annually for the coveted visas."
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2 Scientists Awarded Nobel Prize In Chemistry For Genome Editing Research |
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"The Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded this year to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna for their work on "genetic scissors" that can cut DNA at a precise location, allowing scientists to make specific changes to specific genes.(...) Doudna is a Howard Hughes Investigator at the University of California, Berkeley. Charpentier is with the Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens in Berlin."
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Germany: Health officials warn coronavirus could spread 'out of control' |
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"Germany's top disease control official warned that the country could see up to 10,000 new cases per day if people do not follow hygiene and social distancing rules. "It is possible that the virus will spread out of control," Lothar Wieler, the head of the Robert Koch Institute, told reporters in Berlin.
"We do not know how the situation in Germany will develop in the coming weeks. It is possible that we will see 10,000 new cases a day," he said. "
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USA verhängen neue Importzölle auf Alu-Bleche aus Deutschland |
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"Die US-Regierung führt vorübergehend neue Strafzölle für die Einfuhr von Blechen bestimmter Aluminiumlegierungen aus Deutschland und 17 weiteren Staaten ein. Aus der Bundesrepublik wurden 2019 solche Produkte im Wert von rund 290 Millionen US-Dollar eingeführt - deutlich mehr als aus den anderen betroffenen Ländern.."
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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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