Get ready. Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador will soon have to dial all 10 digits, starting with 709, in the spring.

The announcement that all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador would have to dial all 10 digits starting on April 1 was made last summer.

The decision was made by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to accommodate the introduction of a new 988 three-digit emergency service for mental health crisis and suicide prevention.

Program Manager of the Canadian Numbering Administrator, Kelly Walsh, says local 10-digit dialing is new to Newfoundland and Labrador so it’s important that residents and businesses reprogram their communications equipment to include their area code starting April 1.

Between April 1 and May 31, anyone who dials the seven digits will receive a recorded announcement reminding callers to use ten digits.