Some people in Ireland are still failing to follow public health advice on how to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, according to a Dublin GP.
Dr Ray Walley, from the GP Expert Advisory Group on COVID-19, said that "the same mistakes are being made" now that occurred in the earlier stages of the pandemic.
There were four further deaths related to COVID-19 and 434 new cases confirmed yesterday by NPHET.
The 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 of the population now stands at 129.7.
It comes as further restrictions will be eased from Monday, with many businesses opening their doors again for the first time in months.
Personal services like hairdressers will reopen, and click-and-collect and appointment-only shopping can also resume.
The inter-county travel ban will be lifted, while three households will be allowed to meet outdoors in groups of up to six.
However, the public and business owners have been urged to proceed with caution, with the Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan calling on people to continue to be vigilant regarding the public health guidelines.
Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health. Picture by: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ieSpeaking to Newstalk Breakfast with Susan Keogh, Dr Walley said that from a GP's perspective, he could see that "people are making the same mistakes that they did before".
This includes individuals who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 failing to isolate from others.
"There was a downward trend in [case] numbers overall but that has stalled overall as well," he said.
"In fact, testing has been up week on week this week compared to last week.
"But it is the same mistakes being made whereby people are going to work symptomatic or meeting people symptomatic.
"Or you might have a child who is visiting another household outside their direct family and a child later becomes symptomatic, so effectively three households or two households then are awaiting tests and being concerned.
"It's the same mistakes we've made before, what we need to do is reinforce it, especially as measures change on May 10th with the reopening of society.
"We all want a meaningful summer, we want to be able to meet up, we want to be able to enjoy ourselves, but that is all within our own hands, it's a matter of doing the basics well."
A Boson Biotech COVID-19 antigen test is seen outside a Lidl supermarket in Drumcondra in Dublin. Picture by: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ieDr Walley also urged people not to rely on antigen tests before meeting up next week.
As part of certain lockdown measures being lifted from Monday, the 'vaccine bonus' will also take effect, meaning fully vaccinated people can meet unvaccinated people from one household indoors.
Dr Walley echoed the comments made by Dr Holohan yesterday warning people not to buy antigen tests on sale in supermarkets due to concerns over how reliable they are.
"No test is 100% accurate, but at best, these tests are 50% accurate," he said.
"It's not to say they don't have their uses, in the HSE Department of Health guidance what they're doing is they're using it in acute hospital settings as part of outbreak responses in the community, supported by appropriate operational and clinical governance processes, meaning very strict use.
"It's not to say they won't use them in the future, but that is the guidance at the moment and I would echo what the Chief Medical Officer says, I certainly won't be buying sausages, BBQ coals and an antigen test.
"I will be sticking with, if I become symptomatic, a PCR test."
His message to people is that taking an antigen test "shouldn't be part of the package" when preparing to meet others next week.
"The greater majority of people should be meeting outdoors and acting the same advice, which is social distancing, if you're in an indoor setting you need to be looking at the time you're meeting people, even though it's greatly advised you don't meet people if they're not part of your immediate group," he said.
"But basically, social distancing, wearing a mask, practising proper hygiene measures."
