A Dublin-based GP has urged anyone with coronavirus symptoms to contact their GP, insisting doctors "don't care where you've been this weekend".
Maitiú Ó Tuathail says there's a concern the 'heavy criticism' directed at those who breach guidelines may lead to some people thinking twice about getting a test.
However, he stressed there will be "no blame" from GPs, as doctors care about getting their patients tested.
He was speaking after a video emerged at the weekend showing a barman pouring alcohol into people’s mouths at the Berlin D2 venue in Dublin city.
The video has been widely criticised on social media, including from a number of Government ministers.
Speaking on The Hard Shoulder, Dr Ó Tuathail said he thinks he speaks for every healthcare worker when he says the footage was "upsetting and difficult to watch".
However, he said: "The fear is - and it's something that's becoming evident - is that this constant heavy criticism of anything at the moment may lead to people thinking twice about getting a COVID test.
"I think the important message from me as a GP - and I think any GP in the country - [is] we don't care where you've been this weekend.
"If you have symptoms, just contact us and we'll get you tested. There will be no blame."
'Don't think twice'
Dr Ó Tuathail said the country has emerged from a lockdown where everyone effectively was "under house arrest if they weren't a healthcare worker".
He said everyone is doing their utmost to avoid a further spread of the virus, and therefore he completely understands the "visceral" reaction to the video that emerged over the weekend.
However, he observed: "The scene we saw in [Dublin] has probably been replicated the length and breadth of the country... but just hasn't been videoed, and probably happened in houses.
"We know from the figures they're releasing that people are attending house parties, and people are intoxicated... not in huge numbers, but certainly in numbers large enough that we're seeing outbreaks in those under the age of 45.
"What we do not want to see is people in any way having to think twice about getting in contact with their GP and getting tested."
Dr Ó Tuathail says doctors are still seeing delays in people contacting them, and that he himself has received calls from people who've already had symptoms for four or five days.
He reiterated that people shouldn't hesitate to contact their GP, as doctors only care about getting patients tested.
