LONDON — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce tougher measures against COVID-19 on Saturday including the potential introduction of a second national lockdown, hours after Greece unveiled a partial lockdown.

Speculation began swirling on Saturday morning that a new national lockdown could be announced shortly after epidemiologist John Edmunds, a member of the government's scientific advisory group, said cases were running "significantly above" a reasonable worst-case scenario drawn up by modelers early this month.

The government had previously introduced a multi-tier system to be implemented locally based on the number of infections. But scientists say it has not been enough.

More than 46,200 people have lost their lives to the virus in the UK — Europe's highest death toll —and the country has recorded over 20,000 new daily infections for the past five days. It is expected to pass the 1 million infection threshold over the weekend.

Johnson's address will come hours after Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that the country would be under a month-long partial lockdown from Tuesday.

Under the new measure in Greece, local areas will be categorized as either Surveillance or High Risk zones.

In the former, a curfew will be implemented from midnight to 05:00 CET. Mask wearing will be required everywhere, both indoors and outdoors, higher education is to be conducted remotely and gatherings are prohibited.

In the latter, the same measures will apply but all hospitality businesses, as well as theaters, museums, cinemas and indoor gyms, will also be asked to close their doors to the public.

Mitsotakis stressed that contrary to the lockdown implemented in the spring, "we are not talking about a total freeze of everyday life, as shops and schools will remain open.

He conceded, however, that "today's message is what I was hoping not to have to do".

"After a long period of stability, cases are increasing exponentially in our country," he said. "Scientists warn that soon, the new wave will test our national health service endurance."

"We must act now before our ICUs (Intensive Care Units) fall," he added.

The country of 10.7 million has so far recorded 35,510 COVID cases and 615 deaths, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Mitsotakis's announcement, delayed by a day following a deadly earthquake on Friday in the Aegean Sea, comes days after several other European countries announced tighter measures to slow the second wave of the pandemic.

National lockdowns have once more been introduced in France and Belgium, while Germany has also opted for a partial lockdown. — Euronews