Dear members, partners & friends,
We hope that you were able to enjoy a restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving Day.
As we move into the busy Holiday season, we cordially invite you to join us for what is going to be a unique experience celebrating our annual year end gathering virtually next Friday, December 4th at 6PM: Sign-up now, so we can ensure that this event is going to be designed around you as our guests as personally as virtually possible. We have planned this to be a lead-in into your Friday night of only an hour and 15 minutes featuring a varied program of brief speeches, entertainment (yes, a comedian from Germany is joining us), and personal conversation. A guest list will be provided to all registered attendees prior to the event. Please get your ticket and join our guest list!
While the vote counting and certification of the U.S. presidential election is still garnering headlines, we are encouraged that the results from our last poll reflect an optimistic view among our membership for 2021. This week's #poll question is looking at your shopping habits: do you buy more by the click of the mouse or tap on your phone than before the pandemic?
Stay healthy and see you on Friday, December 4th!
Emily Westhoven
Executive Director
|
|
RSVP now for our very special holiday event! |
|
|
|
Join us for a fun hour+ of conversation, reflection, entertainment, celebration and raising our glasses (at home) to the one-of-a-kind-2020, to the upcoming holiday season and the coming new year.
We have put a varied program together, incl. a brief business key note from the CEO at TÜV SÜD, John Tesoro; for the lighter side of the hour, a comedian from Germany will join us followed by break-out "tables". While we cannot serve you dinner and drinks, we have a suggestion on how to make your mealplanning for the week less hectic. See our Web site for details.
Date: Friday, December 4th, 2020
Time: 6PM EST to 7:15PM EST
Platform: Zoom
Tickets: $20 member | $ 30 non-member (household)
|
|
Why do we charge for this event?
While our virtual programming for 2020 has been complimentary so far, this has been a challenging year for many non-profits, including the GABC. Your presence and your support is welcome and highly appreciated.
|
|
|
|
What spells out pandemic more than " puzzlemania"? Yes, puzzles are one of the most sought after items during the pandemic and going into the holiday season -- and sold out quickly! Luckily, we were able to secure puzzles and other games directly from our friends at Ravensburger, the classic German games & puzzle company. Tickets sold as singles or in pack of 6. |
|
|
|
More than half of greenhouse gas emissions come from commercial, industrial, and large residential buildings. Thermal electrification & connected buildings are considered a key pathway for achieving carbon neutrality.
We will discuss these pathways and technologies with our panel of industry representatives moderated by Kent Larson, the Director of the City Science research group at the MIT Media Lab and a Siemens representative.
Date: Friday, Jan 15th, 2020
Time: 12:00pm to 1:00pm EST
Platform: Zoom
Cost: Complimentary
|
|
|
|
What will the Economic Landscape look like for German Companies in the U.S. in 2021? The virtual event will present the results of the GACC’s annual German American Business Outlook (GABO 2021) survey which is currently being conducted in partnership with KPMG Germany. This event will also include a transatlantic economic outlook presented by an economist from J.P. Morgan. The following panel discussion will feature New England industry leaders and their stand on the economy.
Date: Friday, Jan 29th, 2020
Time: 12:00pm to 1:30pm EST
Platform: Zoom
Cost: Complimentary
|
|
THE COVID-19 VACCINE: A WARM WELCOME OR THE COLD SHOULDER?
Join the German American Conference (GAC) to explore the potential reception of the COVID-19 vaccine in both the United States and Europe, as well as discuss possible opportunities for transatlantic collaborations in the vaccination effort.
|
|
Trade in Transition: How Election Outcomes May Shape U.S. Trade Relations with the World
Women in World Trade, New England is pleased to host Wendy Cutler, a distinguished U.S. diplomat and trade negotiator for nearly three decades at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. At a time of political transition, she will discuss what the future may hold for U.S. trade policy.
|
|
In the News | Pressespiegel |
|
Covid vaccine manufacturer invests $150M in Mass. facility |
|
"Contract manufacturer Vibalogics GmbH is investing $150 million and hiring 100 people for a new Massachusetts facility as it helps a Big Pharma firm develop a Covid-19 vaccine. The German contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) plans to open a viral manufacturing site in Boxborough by the second half of 2021. The firm is starting with 100 employees and hopes to reach 250 employees in the next four years."
|
|
Editorial: The world benefits from Mass. support of life sciences |
|
"(...)Silicon Valley may have the edge in consumer electronics, social media and e-commerce, but it’s times like these that the eyes of the world turn to the world-renowned Boston biotech research industry, and acknowledge our dominance in fields that truly make a difference in the way we all live."
|
|
Germany Extends Strict Lockdown Measures With Eye Towards Reopening Ski Slopes |
|
"The country will remain under measures introduced in early November that include limits on private gatherings and it will keep bars, restaurants, and museums closed.
Residents will be given some leeway around the Christmas holiday. Members of one household can meet up with 10 people between Dec. 23 to Jan. 1. Children under 14 are exempt."
|
|
Biden’s ‘America is back’ is good news for Germany |
|
"President-elect Joe Biden’s signaling of a shift in America’s foreign policy objectives is welcome news in Berlin, where German officials have fretted over tariffs for the last four years."
|
|
Update from Lufthansa / Logan Airport (11/26) |
|
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.
Update 11/26: LH 422/23 will not be flying on these days: 25DEC20 30DEC20 01JAN21 05JAN21 12JAN21 19JAN21 26JAN21 29JAN21 02FEB21 06FEB21 10FEB21 14FEB21 17FEB21 27FEB21
LX54/55 (BOS-ZRH) is now flying 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.
|
|
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:
-
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. Furthermore, you are legally required to provide information of your address during your stay in Germany. 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. (Source: Robert Koch Institut)
-
UPDATE 8/14: American spouses/family members of German citizens can now enter Germany to reunite with their partners/familys. (Source: Federal Foreign Office)
-
UPDATE 10/30: Expected as of November 8 are the following regulations: Arriving from a risk country: "If no other grounds for exception apply, these individuals may only be released from the obligation to self-isolate at home – no earlier than 5 days after entering Germany– if they provide proof of a negative test result." (Source: Auswärtiges Amt)
-
Update 11/8: From 8 November 2020 all travellers to Germany have to register online prior to their entry on the website www.einreiseanmeldung.de, if they have stayed in a risk area within the last 10 days prior to their entry to Germany. Also they must be able to present proof of this registration when entering Germany. (Source: Auswärtiges Amt)
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
|
|
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.
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)
|
|
Testing is also available at
|
|
Our annual supporters (thank you) |
|
GERMAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL of BOSTON
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
