Dear members, partners & friends,
our newsletter is still in "vacation" mode, but there are some news to share with you, including the big headlines German biotech companies CureVac and MorphoSys just made. See our press review.
We have updated our travel information section, because we know many of you are thinking about taking vacation. And, yes there is mandatory free Covid Testing upon arrival at Frankfurt airport for travelers from high risk countries, as reported in the New York Times. It's also now possible for couples who have been separated (due to the restriction of American citizens to enter Germany) to reunite. Additionally, on the U.S. side it was quietly announced that students with a valid F-1 visa are allowed to re-enter the U.S. See below for our travel update and please always double check our sources as guidelines change by the day! The Massachusetts travel order is still in effect.
Stay healthy and enjoy summer,
Emily Westhoven
Executive Director
|
|
Thank you to all those who responded to our survey! We appreciate the time you took to let us know your thoughts. We have compiled your responses and read all of your comments. We are working on a program that we think will fit with what many of you are looking for -- stay tuned!
|
|
Last Chance to Apply (Aug 16 deadline)
|
|
Falling Walls Lab: Last Call for Applications
Bachelor and master students, postdocs, young professionals, entrepreneurs and faculty members
are invited to apply until August 16
|
|
Falling Walls Lab is a platform for excellent academics, entrepreneurs and professionals from all disciplines who would like to present their research work, business model, innovative project or transformative idea in front of their peers and a distinguished jury from academia and business.
The call for applications is now open. Bachelor and master students, postdocs, young professionals, entrepreneurs and faculty members are invited to apply. Falling Walls Lab Boston offers an opportunity to pitch ground-breaking ideas and win a spot in the final global competition. If you are a finalist in Boston, you will have the opportunity to represent your institution in front of a virtual global audience during the Falling Walls Lab Conference and to compete for attractive cash and research prizes.
The virtual Falling Walls Lab Boston will take place on Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 6 p.m. Applications can be submitted online until August 16.
|
|
Update from Lufthansa | Logan Airport
|
|
LH422/423 (BOS-FRA) will remain at 5 weekly flights in September and it is planned to return to a daily operation in October. It currently is the only direct flight to Germany out of Logan.
LX54/55 (BOS-ZRH) is now planned to return in October.The LH Lounge will remain closed for the month of September, possibly longer. All of these announcements are subject to re-evaluation at a later point.
|
|
The German International School Boston is finetuning their reopening plans. Scheduled to reopen their doors on Wednesday, August 26th, the school has been developing in-person, hybrid and remote models depending on class levels. The Lower Campus German immersion program, currently scheduled to open in-person, has limited spaces available for children ages 5 and 6 (no prior German language experience required). You can find information on the reopening plan for the Lower Campus here.
|
|
In the News | Pressespiegel
|
|
CureVac CEO on IPO Pricing, Covid-19 Vaccine, Partners
|
|
"CureVac Chief Executive Officer Franz-Werner Haas discusses the company’s $213 million initial public offering, partnerships on Covid-19 vaccine development, and updates progress on their phase one coronavirus vaccine trial. He speaks on "Bloomberg Markets: European Close.""
|
|
Europe has mixed reactions to updated U.S. tariffs over Airbus
|
|
""The shift in burden away from Greece and the U.K. and onto France and Germany is a classic for the Trump administration," said Lucio Miranda, president of consultancy ExportUSA."
|
|
German biotech MorphoSys plans growth in Boston after first drug approval
|
|
"A German drugmaker that opened its U.S. headquarters in Boston last fall says it plans to build a research and development hub in the area later this year after receiving its first drug approval."
|
|
CureVac macht den Bund um 800 Millionen Euro reicher
|
|
"Der Tübinger Impfstoffhersteller Curevac ist am letzten Handelstag der Woche in den USA an der Börse gestartet. Dabei ist der Kurs zur Erstnotiz um 175 Prozent nach oben gesprungen. Das rechnet sich für den Staat."
|
|
As you may be thinking about summer travel plans, we compiled a few guidelines and restrictions that are in place. 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:
-
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.
-
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)
-
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)
-
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)
-
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.
-
UPDATE 8/14: American spouses/family members of German citizens can now enter Germany to reunite with their partners/familys. (Source: Federal Foreign Office)
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:
-
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
-
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)
|
|
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
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)
|
|
Testing is also available at
|
|
Our annual supporters (thank you)
|
|
GERMAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL of BOSTON
|
|
|
|
|
|
|