Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou outlined precautionary measures and safety guidance for the public on Wednesday afternoon, as authorities seek to strengthen civil protection amid heightened regional tensions.
Speaking to journalists at the Press Centre of the Presidential Palace, Ioannou said that, given the ongoing instability in the region, citizens are advised to remain alert and prepared to follow self-protection measures if necessary.
He explained that if residents receive an emergency text message on their mobile phones, they should remain calm and follow the instructions issued by the authorities.
According to the guidance issued by the Interior Ministry:
• If there is a basement in their home, a nearby building or the location where they are present, citizens should move there immediately on foot and in an orderly manner.
• If indoors in a building without a basement, they should remain inside and stay away from doors, glass surfaces and windows.
• If outdoors, they should move to the nearest indoor space.
• In facilities such as schools, hospitals and sports venues, the relevant emergency protocols will be implemented by responsible personnel.
• Citizens are urged not to travel by vehicle to these locations.
Until further instructions are issued by the competent authorities, the public is advised to remain in basements or indoor areas and avoid moving through open spaces either on foot or by car.
Ioannou also announced that the government, in cooperation with all telecommunications providers in Cyprus, is launching a nationwide SMS alert system to provide timely and reliable information to citizens during potential security incidents.
A test of the new system will take place at around 19:00 today, when a trial message will be sent to all mobile phone users in Cyprus as part of the government’s public safety and information measures.
Following the statements by the Interior Minister, the following test messages will be sent to citizens’ mobile phones in Greek and English:
Message 1:
Civil Defence Announcement
Adoption of precautionary self-protection measures
Given the continuing heightened situation in the region, and for the purposes of prevention and appropriate public preparedness, citizens are advised to remain alert so that, if necessary, they can take the following self-protection measures.
Message 2:
A potential security incident is currently under investigation. Citizens are urged to follow Civil Defence guidance until further official updates are issued. They are asked to remain calm and adhere to the following instructions.
Message 3:
Citizens are informed that the security incident has been resolved.