The claim
It is claimed that Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach is planning to introduce a “heat lockdown” in the summer.
Our conclusion
So far there is no indication that Lauterbach is planning a heat lockdown. Rather, the focus is on preventive measures and educational work as part of a national heat protection plan.
We are currently receiving ongoing inquiries alleging that Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach is planning a “heat lockdown” similar to the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Heat lockdown in summer?
At a press conference on heat protection and health-related climate protection, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach announced a national heat protection plan for Germany to respond to the increasing number of heat-related deaths. However, there is no explicit mention of a “heat lockdown”, although this can be interpreted into it, because Lauterbach also talks about the seven-point plan for combating the Corona pandemic. He says that it “worked very well at the time”. He also believes that this measure has made it possible to drastically reduce the number of Covid deaths in nursing homes. He would like to repeat this with regard to the “heat death”, the operators of care facilities, the medical profession, the communities, the municipalities and also the health insurance companies will shortly be invited to the Federal Ministry of Health and we will then take part in a concerted action in the sense of a heat plan, as in France, work and also use the original model in Germany.
Lauterbach is planning a heat protection plan based on the French model, which defines different degrees of severity of a heat wave and links them to specific measures. As examples, he cited the targeted approach of sick and old people, information about symptoms of impending heat stroke and protective measures. The possibility of cold protection rooms and free water dispensers is also being examined. There should be a “concerted action” in which those responsible from nursing, the medical profession, municipalities, states and clinics work together to develop this plan.
In addition, the German Nursing Council and the German Alliance for Climate Change and Health (Klug), together with the German Medical Association, are calling for heat protection to be given priority and heat action plans to be made binding for municipalities, health and care facilities, emergency and rescue services and in the world of work.
“Germany will be more affected #heatwaves @Karl_Lauterbach today at a press conference on #heat protection and health-related climate protection, organized by @BAEKaktuell , @KlimaGesundheit and @DPflegerat . pic.twitter.com/t0gDj21yK3
— Federal Ministry of Health (@BMG_Bund) June 13, 2023
The increasing heat death in Germany: An avoidable phenomenon
Between 5,000 and 20,000 people die every year in Germany as a result of heat - an alarming and tragic phenomenon. Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach made it clear that this situation was avoidable and that urgent action was needed. “We have to realize that we are not well positioned to combat heat death in Germany,” said Lauterbach. He announced that he would develop a national heat protection plan to address the problem.
Heat death is just the tip of the iceberg
However, the consequences of the heat go beyond death. Many people require care due to heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, heart attack and stroke. So heat death and its consequences are just the tip of the iceberg of a much larger health crisis.
French model as a model for the German heat protection plan
Lauterbach plans to follow the French heat protection plan. This provides for various measures that are tailored to the severity of a heat wave. This includes, among other things, targeted information for sick and elderly people about the symptoms of impending heat stroke and appropriate protective measures. The establishment of cold protection rooms and free water dispensers is also being considered.
Call for cooperation and urgent action
In the coming weeks, Lauterbach wants to bring together representatives from nursing, the medical profession, municipalities, states and clinics to work on a national heat protection plan in a “concerted action”. While there are hardly any heat protection measures in Germany, France learned from the hot summers 20 years ago. Johannes Wagner, member of the Bundestag’s Health Committee, emphasized: “We can’t waste any more time.”
Need for heat protection plans in communities and clinics
So far, only a few municipalities have a heat protection plan and many clinics also lack such plans. The German Hospital Association is therefore calling for support. “There is often a lack of funds for energy-efficient renovation with optimal building insulation, efficient cooling systems, shading and greenery,” said association vice-president Henriette Neumeyer.
The silent heat death and the need for a change in consciousness
Klug CEO Martin Herrmann describes heat death as a “silent death”. It is therefore crucial that the public recognizes that heat can be “potentially life-threatening for all people”. In view of climate change, the number of hot days with more than 30 degrees Celsius is increasing in Germany and there are longer heat periods. This poses a health risk, particularly for the elderly, the sick and children. It is therefore high time that we as a society and state act to minimize the negative effects of the heat.
The full press conference
“Demands from the medical profession for heat protection plans and health-related climate protection to politicians” – Press conference with Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, Klaus Reinhardt (President of the German Medical Association), Martin Herrmann (Chairman of the German Alliance for Climate Change and Health (KLUG)) and Jana Luntz (Presidium member of the German Nursing Council e. V.)
Dear readers, we now have 3 more questions for you!
- Do you feel that our article gave you a better understanding of Health Minister Karl Lauterbach's plans and the need for a national heat protection plan?
- Do you think it is helpful that we take up such topics and contextualize them in order to create clarity in the public discussion?
- Do you value our work to combat misinformation and provide sound, reliable information and would you support us in this mission?
Sources:
- Federal Ministry of Health
- SMART
- Federal Medical Association
- France's national plan to deal with heatwaves
Also read: Together for the truth: Become part of our community fake hunters!
If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:
📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.
Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!
* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

