ATHENS — Main opposition SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance leader Alexis Tsipras on Friday lashed out at the government ever the way it is addressing the second wave of the pandemic, ahead of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' announcement of additional measures against the spread of the virus later the same day.

"The second wave of the pandemic was expected. What we did not expect was that it would find us in such a state," said the main opposition leader, noting that "Mr Mitsotakis, with a huge delay, is to announce a one-month plan only just today".

"I am afraid that he will revise his plan in a few days, as he did with all the other half-measures that he announces and then revises," Tsipras said, claiming that the prime minister had left the national health system unprotected. "He did not hire any doctors or nursing staff… he left the citizens to fend for themselves with their personal responsibility."

According to Tsipras, Mitsotakis' sole concern in the last eight months was not the pandemic but passing bills "to impoverish the citizens, liquidate their primary homes and to promote laws that abolish established labour rights."

"The coming days will be dramatic," warned Tsipras, adding that the hospitals were already struggling and finding it difficult to meet the increased needs for ICU beds.

Tsipras urged the government to hire more doctors and nurses, to requisition private clinics and prescribe diagnostic tests on a mass scale. "We are facing crucial and historic moments that demand responsible decisions. No more lies and propaganda, so as to avert the worst and to protect human life but also the right to live with dignity."