Dear members, partners & friends,

Today is September 11th, a day burnt into my memory -- both as a beautiful late summer day and one that made me wish I could see into the future: I was sure that this day was meant to bring change. 19 years later, we look back and wonder what we can learn from that time as we are now in the midst of a different type of disaster -- but one that also brought human loss and an economic crisis. Are there lessons to be learnt? Are there actually parallels? In many ways, we have entered new territory, and now as then, I wonder: what changes will the future really bring?

Whether virtual networking is here to stay or a temporary patch during the pandemic: we are delighted that we can offer you different platforms to hear compelling speakers, interesting topics or network for networking sake: Please look out for our comprehensive Euro-American Business Connect on September 30th! The platform to register and upload your profile will be opened next week.

Today, we hosted Apprenti and the CIO of Cengage who came on to tell us about a unique apprenticeship model that can be a win-win for both employer and apprentice. Listen in if you missed it.

Our weekly #poll is back. We are wondering: Are you back in the office -- no more remote? Vote!

Stay healthy.

Emily Westhoven
Executive Director
Weekly Poll
Our weekly poll is back! Results will be published in next week's newsletter.

Are you back working in the office? Maybe you never went "remote"? Vote!
Upcoming GABC Events
Save-the-Date!
Platform will open next week | Limited space
Save-the-Date for this upcoming unique business networking opportunity brought to you by international business organizations and innovation centers here in New England. Through the networking platform you will be able to line up your own 12-minute one-on-one video meetings based on the tool’s recommendation and smart scheduling features – and make important new business connections!  Portal will open next week to start uploading profiles -- don't miss this.
Date: Wednesday, September 30th, 2020
Platform: Conversation Starter
Time: 12PM
Cost: Free

Sponsored by the German Consulate General Boston.
We won't be able to come together for our annual Oktoberfest, but what about enjoying crisp fall air for a brisk, socially distanced hike along a truly historic trail on German Unity Day commemorating the 30th anniversary of German unification?

Details will be shared. This event will be limited and masks required in case social distancing on the trail is not possible. Participants will be responsible to bring their own food and drink. (For German-themed refreshments, visit Karl's Sausage Kitchen for instore shopping or online orders.)

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2020
Time: Morning to mid-day
Location: Battle Road Trail in Concord, MA

More details to be announced
The Pandemic Resilient City & Role of Technology
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?  

Speakers:
Rick Dimino, CEO, A Better City
Jaime Paris Boisvert, GM, Siemens Infrastructure

Date: Friday, October 16th, 2020
Time: Noon to 1PM
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
Event Recap
Today, we held a very engaging virtual event on a new apprenticeship model for Massachusetts with Rainer Gawlick, Chair of the Apprenti MA Advisory Board, Jim Chilton, CIO of Cengage and Lauren Jones, Director Apprenti Massachusetts.

Did you miss it? No problem, we have links to a recording and the presentation here:


Open Position
The German International School Boston seeks an energetic and experienced Communications/Marketing Manager to develop and implement a robust and effective communications, marketing and PR strategy that strengthens the School’s brand and supports the School’s strategic objectives. This is a full-time position. For detailed job description, please click here
Update from Lufthansa / Logan Airport
LH422/423 (BOS-FRA) will remain at 5 weekly flights in September and 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) will return on October 10 (arrival in BOS Thu and Sat | Departure Fri and Sun)

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.
In the News | Pressespiegel
As seen in
Three lessons from 9/11 — for now and into the future
September 10, 2020
"...It has been 19 years since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. We are now confronting another crisis of great magnitude with the pandemic, which certainly will change the world in profound ways just as the terrorist attacks did."

As seen in
Boston tech firms reevaluate real estate needs post-pandemic
September 9, 2020
"The amount of space listed for sublease in Boston has ballooned to nearly 1.5 million square feet since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, marking the worst two quarters in history."

As seen in
For Covid-19 Apps, a Tug of War Between Privacy and Efficiency
September 8, 2020
"There’s considerable debate about how effective these apps can be. In Switzerland, where health authorities say 17% of the population uses the app daily, 12% of Covid-19 cases have been reported via the program—meaning the contacts of those people could be traced. In the Australian state of New South Wales, the app has found more than 50 cases, including 14 that wouldn’t have been discovered through manual contact tracing. In Germany, by contrast, tight privacy rules make it impossible to say how many infections the app has helped find."

As read in
German Stimulus Measures Have Bucked the Corona Crisis
September 8, 2020
"Berlin has earmarked more than 1 trillion euros in cash and loans to help the country escape the worst economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. Many of the measures have worked - for now. On the long term, though, some strategies could hinder an upswing."

Travel (updated 8/21)
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:
  • 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: CDCUPDATE 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.
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.
Registration: via at https://corona.centogene.com
CostStandard 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)

Testing is also available at
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GERMAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL of BOSTON
 Email:  info@gabc-boston.org    Web Site: www.gabc-boston.org