Under a second nationwide coronavirus lockdown in Greece, people will need to text authorities if they want to leave their homes.

The lockdown will start at daybreak Saturday and last until the end of the month. With infections surging across the country, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he acted before patients overwhelm hospitals.

"We must stop this wave," Mitsotakis said Thursday. "I chose once again to take drastic measures sooner rather than later."

As part of the lockdown, all retail stores except those selling essential items such as food, medication and fuel will be closed.

Travel inside the country will be severely restricted.

People will only be allowed to leave their homes for work, physical exercise or medical reasons and only after sending a text message to authorities.