Cyprus schedules second wave of emergency SMS alert system tests

The Cyprus Ministry of Interior has announced a second series of emergency SMS tests to evaluate the capacity of its public information system. This initiative follows an earlier trial that experienced technical delays and delivery failures. The new tests are scheduled for March 6, 2026, starting at 4:30 p.m. with prepaid SIM card users. Following this, messages will be sent to districts at 30-minute intervals: Paphos at 5:00 p.m., Famagusta at 5:30 p.m., Nicosia at 6:00 p.m., Larnaca at 6:30 p.m., and Limassol at 7:00 p.m. The notifications will reflect the user's registered address rather than their real-time location. The government aims to ensure the system is operational for public safety before the full Early Warning System launch in June 2026. Officials emphasized that this measure is intended to provide valid information during potential security incidents.