UK to test Emergency Alert system this weekend

People living in, or visiting, the border counties may receive a message on their phone or mobile device

The UK Government will test its Emergency Alerts service across the UK, including Northern Ireland this coming weekend, Sunday, September 7 at 3pm.

This system was launched across Britain and Northern Ireland in March 2023 and was tested in April 2023.

As happened during the April 2023 test of the system, people living in, or visiting, the border counties may receive a message on their phone or mobile device, followed by an audio alert and a vibration of up to ten seconds. This emergency alert will look and sound different to other types of messages such as SMS text messages.

The alert will be received even if the mobile device is set to ‘silent’ or ‘do not disturb’.

Devices do not need to be connected to WiFi or mobile data to get the alert.

There is no cause for concern, and no action is needed, said a statement issued by the UK's Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.

"Vulnerable people, including victims of human trafficking and domestic abuse, may carry hidden phones for personal safety reasons. Anybody in this position who would prefer if their phone did not sound, should turn their phone off or switch it to airplane mode.

"The UK launched its Emergency Alerts service across Britain and Northern Ireland on Sunday, 19th March 2023. This service enables the UK Government to send a message to all mobile devices to warn of a life-threatening emergency nearby, for example extreme weather, severe flooding or a fire. This service aims to provide clear information to help keep people safe."

For further information, please visit www.gov.ie/alerts.