The government is urging the public to remain calm and “keep their cool” ahead of a nationwide test of the emergency alert system scheduled for Sunday. The exercise, designed to ensure the effectiveness of the critical public warning infrastructure, will see a distinctive alert sound emitted from most mobile phones across the country at 15:00 BST.
This Sunday’s test is a crucial step in preparing the system for real-world emergencies, allowing authorities to reach a broad segment of the population quickly in the event of a significant incident. During the alert, mobile phones will emit a loud, siren-like sound and vibrate for approximately ten seconds, accompanied by a message on the screen. Officials emphasize that this is merely a test and no action will be required from the public when their devices sound the alarm. The message will clearly state that it is a test and will provide information on what to expect. This proactive measure aims to familiarize citizens with the alert sound and format, ensuring that future genuine warnings are recognized and acted upon appropriately.
