Millions of Brits will receive an emergency alert that will jam their phones until they click on it - but there are a number of concerns.
Modelled after similar schemes in the US, Canada, the Netherlands and Japan, your phone will emit a siren-like warning tone until you cancel it.
The alert will be sent by the Government as part of a new system intended to warn the public in life-threatening situations such as flooding and wildfires.
The scheme has come under fire as it is expected to cause carnage across the country, including for domestic abuse survivors, who may be hiding second phones.
Warning for drivers
There are concerns that the laert could serve as a major distraction for motorists due to the siren-like noise that will sound as the message comes through.
Government officials have met with the RAC to discuss how to mitigate crashes as a result of the alerts.
Edmund King, president of the AA, questioned the decision to test the alert it on a day when "Sunday drivers" – those who are less experienced motorists – take to the roads.
What do you think about the siren? Let us know in the comments...
"If they have the phone in the car and an odd sound goes off there could be some form of panic," he said.
"Even with a hands-free system, the odd sound could mean they reach for the phone. So there's no doubt there's a a threat of distraction for some drivers."
It is understood that motorway signs will also be used in the lead-up to the test to advise drivers not to check or use their phones.
People are able to turn off the alerts within their phone's settings, but it is hoped the benefit of being warned about a life-threatening situation will mean most keep them on.
However, drivers are being warned not to tamper with their phones while driving, as they would be breaking the law.
James Armstrong of car insurance provider Veygo told the Daily Record that touching your phone could put you in violation of rule 149 of the Highway Code.
The rule specifies that it is against the law to use a hand-held device such as a phone or sat-nav while driving and could result in the motorist being slapped with a £200 fine and up to six penalty points.
Drivers could even be taken to court and banned from driving or fined up to £1,000.
The UK Government advice states: "You should not read or otherwise respond to an emergency alert whilst driving or riding a motorcycle."
It continues: "If you are driving, you should continue to drive and not respond to the noise or attempt to pick up the mobile phone and deal with the message. Find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message.
"If there is nowhere safe or legal to stop close by, and nobody else is in the vehicle to read the alert, tune into live radio and wait for bulletins until you can find somewhere safe and legal to stop."
Pub tells punters to leave phones at home
It could be chaos if a large number of phones start going off in crowded venues such as the pub.
One pub in Somerset has decided to ban mobile phones as the government prepares to send out an emergency text alert to the entire UK population.
However, The Camelot pub near Yeovil has requested that customers leave their phones at the door on the day of the alert to minimise distraction for those enjoying their Sunday roasts, reports Somerset Live.
A statement from the pub reads: "The Camelot is requesting all customers to leave their mobile phones at home if they are coming to the pub. We have all heard the alert on various news channels and we feel very strongly that we don't want the alarm system to spoil the enjoyment of customers coming for our legendary roast lunches.
"If customers feel strongly about bringing their phones then we kindly request you turn them off while in the pub before the alarm goes off at 3pm. Any customer who does have an alarm go off will be asked to pop a large donation into our charity box. This month our chosen charity is The Alzheimer's Society.
"We are really sorry if this offends some customers. As we have all had the chance to hear the alarm we don't feel it's necessary to have it intrude our lives on a Sunday here."
Domestic abuse and second phones
Police have shared vital information about how to turn off the upcoming government emergency alert if you're hiding a secret phone.
Victims of domestic abuse may often rely on a secret or concealed phone as a lifeline.
A number of charities have raised concerns that the upcoming nationwide emergency alert test could reveal such devices to their abusers, putting them in danger.
Refuge, amongst a number of other charities, have raised worries over the alert coming this month.
Even if you turn the phone off, or have it on airplane mode, it will receive the test alert once you turn it on again.
The charity said: Refuge has concerns about the soon to be tested government Emergency Alert system, particularly the risk to survivors of domestic abuse who may have secret or secondary phones hidden within the home."
For the people who might be put at risk by the alert, the West Midlands Victims' Commissioner Nicky Brennan explained how to turn it off.
She said: "On Sunday April 23, the government will be testing its mobile phone emergency alert system.
"It's designed to warn people of major incidents such as flooding, however for many victims of domestic abuse a secret phone is a vital lifeline and the alert could put you at risk.
"Even if your secret or secondary phone is on silent it will still make a noise so it is vital you switch them off in your settings."
Turning off the alert
On an iPhone, to turn the alert off, go into settings, open notifications, and scroll down to the bottom and disable the Extreme and Severe Alerts option.
This is done by tapping the green sliders and turning them grey.
On an Android phone, simply search your settings for emergency alerts using the search icon.
From the results, turn off severe and emergency alerts.
This will mean that there will be no noise from the phones come the day.
Emma Pickering, Senior Operations Tech Abuse Manager at Refuge, said: "Refuge has shared our concerns with the government about their soon to be tested Emergency Alert system.
"Our concerns are centred on the very real risk to survivors of domestic abuse who may have secret or secondary phones hidden within the home, which they must ensure are not discovered by their perpetrators. These devices can be a lifeline for women who need to access support or flee their abuser.
"This month, the Government plans to send a test alert to all devices including tablets as well as phones. These alerts will come through as a loud siren even if devices are on silent, and could alert an abuser to a concealed device."
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