Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus will begin operating its new CY Alert population warning system on June 2, with authorities set to carry out a series of test notifications across the island before a nationwide exercise later in the month.
System rollout
The civil defence department said on Friday that the system will be used to provide real-time alerts to the public during emergencies and disasters, allowing residents in affected areas to take protective action.
Test notifications
As part of the rollout, test notifications will be sent to mobile phones between June 2 and June 15. The alerts will include a distinctive loud sound and vibration and will display the message “TEST TEST TEST” or “EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE”.
Civil Defence said notifications carrying those messages are part of scheduled testing and do not require any action from the public.
Schedule
The first tests will take place next Tuesday between 11am and 12pm in Pissouri and Moniatis, followed by a second exercise between 4pm and 5pm in Psevdas.
Further tests are scheduled for next Sunday between 10am and 11am in Argaka, Avgorou and Ora, and on June 10 between 4pm and 5pm in Fini and Kalopanayiotis.
The programme will conclude on June 15 with a nationwide notification exercise between 3pm and 4pm simulating a missing person alert.
Public guidance
Authorities said residents in neighbouring areas may also receive test messages during the exercises.
The CY Alert system is designed to issue immediate warnings during situations that threaten public safety, including natural disasters and other emergencies.
Civil Defence urged members of the public to ensure alert notifications are enabled on their mobile devices.
