Politis

New Test of Emergency Alert SMS System Today – All the Details

Published March 6, 2026, 12:20
New Test of Emergency Alert SMS System Today – All the Details

The Ministry of Interior has announced a new test of sending text messages (SMS) with self-protection instructions today, March 6, 2026. The test will be carried out gradually by Province, from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM, starting with prepaid subscribers and following the Provinces of Paphos, Famagusta, Nicosia, Larnaca, and Limassol. The test is being conducted after the first test and the technical adjustments made by the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy in collaboration with telecommunications providers, with the aim of improving the message delivery process. The messages will indicate the Province to which the potential incident relates. It is noted that the messages are sent based on the address declared by each subscriber to their telephone provider and not based on their current location. Subscribers without a declared address will receive a message regardless of Province. The purpose of the test is to check the ability to send a large number of messages in a short period of time. The measure will be used as a supplement to existing citizen information measures and will be replaced in June by the new Early Warning System. Citizens are advised to remain calm and follow the instructions contained in the messages, such as directing to an underground space or staying indoors.