At a time when the Middle East is on fire and its airspace is turning into , in its “premiere” it left behind questions and digital failures. The government reassures worried citizens about the technical problem in sending sms with , at a difficult time for the country and the wider region.
Test “readiness message” on mobiles
In a climate of widespread concern due to geopolitical developments, the residents of Cyprus received the first test message from the Civil Defense on their mobile phones. This move is part of the authorities’ preventive information and preparedness framework, following Iran’s retaliation and the use of Cypriot airspace for interceptions.
“Radio silence” at a critical time
Despite the success of the mission to most of the population, there were complaints on social media from citizens who never received the notification. According to information, there was a technical issue in cooperation with the providers, which is expected to be resolved in the next few days.
Nikos Christodoulidis: “Get informed only from official sources”
With, the President of the Republic of Cyprus confirmed the activation of the paging system on a trial basis. Nikos Christodoulidis called on citizens to close their ears to misinformation and to watch exclusively the Government’s channels, underlining that this move is purely precautionary and there is no reason to panic.
Survival instructions for the fear of drones
The Minister of the Interior, Konstantinos Ioannou, asked citizens to be “vigilant” and to remain calm, should the system be activated again. Basic self-protection guidelines include:
- Search for shelter: Direct passage to basements (owned or neighboring), exclusively on foot.
- Stay indoors: If there is no basement, stay inside the building, away from glass, doors and windows.
- Restriction of movements: Avoiding the use of vehicles and pedestrian movement in outdoor areas until further notice.
- Special infrastructure: In schools and hospitals, specific protocols are already implemented by the relevant staff.
The Home Office clarified that the next planned test messages will not be sent today, as the system has been deemed operational, and will only be used again in case of real need.
