Test of the national warning system: sirens, test message on the GouvAlert-app and unannounced zonal alert SMS message (05.06.2023)

As part of the reform of the national warning system, the government has been carrying out regular tests since May 2022, testing the siren network every first Monday of the month and sending a test SMS alert to the population in a given zone, as well as a test message via the GouvAlert mobile application.

On 5 June 2023, the test of the sirens and of the GouvAlertapplication (national test message) will take place as usual.

However, with the aim of having an efficient, effective and reliable alert system at all times, tests of the zonal SMS system will no longer be announced in advance, which will enable mobile operators to be put in a real-life situation when faced with an event that triggers an immediate and spontaneous alert from the population.

It should be noted that no personal data will be collected or stored by the State as part of the tests of the national alert system. Furthermore, in order to ensure that real and test alert messages are clearly distinguishable, it should be specified that the passage "No action required / Aucune action requise /Keine Handlung erforderlich" will only be mentioned in the test messages.

It should also be noted that there may be a delay between the sending and receiving of test SMS messages, so that not all citizens receive the test message at the same time. It is understood that no individual communication channel can achieve 100% coverage. However, in order to achieve satisfactory coverage, it is recalled that the government has chosen to implement a multi-channel approach that will eventually reach as many people as possible, by combining the strengths of the different communication channels.

The aim of the tests is to ensure the functionality of the different alert channels, to identify possible areas for improvement and, above all, to make citizens aware of the need to use the different alert channels. The test strategy, which is long-term and will take place on a regular basis, is aimed at ensuring the resilience of the population in the face of emergency or crisis situations that could have an impact on public safety.

Further information and FAQs are available on the following website: National warning system: LU-Alert.

Press release by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of State and the High Commission for National Protection (HCPN)