The Dutch government will send a nationwide test message via NL-Alert on Monday at 12:00 PM. This is the semi-annual test to check if the warning system is functioning properly.
The message clearly states that it is a test and that there is no emergency. The government sends these test messages every year on the first Monday of June and December.
The message appears on mobile phones and in the NL-Alert App. It can also be seen on travel information screens in public transport.
If you have a relatively new phone, your device is probably already set up to receive NL-Alert messages. On some older phones, you have to set that option yourself.
NL-Alert is used to quickly warn and inform people about emergencies in their area. Think of large fires, severe weather, gas leaks or a military threat. The system then sends a text message to mobile phones in the affected area so that people can act quickly.