UK sports events are set to experience disruptions on Sunday afternoon as the Government conducts an emergency alert test that will trigger phones to emit a loud siren sound nationwide. The test, scheduled for 3pm, will reach approximately 87 million phones and marks the first such test since April 2023.
This emergency alert, previously used during Storm Darragh and Storm Eowyn, serves as a crucial means of relaying essential information during crises. The loud alert on phones has raised concerns about potential disruptions to events on Sunday.
The purpose of the nationwide test is to assess the functionality of emergency alerts during critical situations like floods or storms. Every individual connected to a 4G or 5G network in the UK will receive the alert, emphasizing its importance in potentially saving lives during emergencies.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, emphasized the significance of the test in safeguarding lives during emergencies, citing past instances where the system provided life-saving advice promptly. The alert will last for about ten seconds and will reach all phones in the UK, regardless of their settings.
Furthermore, the alert will inform recipients that it is only a test and no immediate action is required. However, phones on airplane mode or switched off will not receive the alert. Even tourists or individuals with non-UK phone numbers in the country will receive the alert.
In light of the test, the England cricket team’s ODI against South Africa and the Rugby Super League derby between Hull KR and Hull FC will experience delays to accommodate the alert. Similarly, the Old Firm game between Celtic Women and Rangers Women in Scotland will also be pushed back.
The Great North Run, happening on Sunday, is expected to conclude before the alert is sounded, minimizing disruptions to the event. The Government aims to ensure the effectiveness of the emergency alert system in protecting lives during critical situations.
