The Chief Medical Officer has warned people they must not use an antigen test to give themselves the all-clear if they have Covid-19 symptoms.
Dr Holohan says Ireland is now facing a "sudden, unsustainable" surge of infection.
His warning comes as the Taoiseach dismissed suggestions that his policy on the rapid tests is at odds with Dr Tony Holohan's advice.
Yesterday it emerged the Chief Medical Officer had written to the government urging it not provide subsidised antigen test kits.
With prices ranging from five to eight euro a kit, anyone going to bars and nightclubs who follows the HSE advice to test twice a week faces spending between forty and eighty euro a month.
Dr Tony Holohan has long been sceptical of the self-administered tests for the virus -- arguing they might give people a false sense of security.
Speaking in Cork yesterday, the Taoiseach insisted he and Dr Holohan are on the same page.
In a statement issued this morning, Dr Holohan says the Department of Health's survey data indicates most people using antigen tests are doing it inappropriately -- using the kits when they have cold- or flu-like symptoms.
He says antigen results just can't be relied upon as an all-clear for the virus, and people with any symptoms should isolate themselves and contact their GP.
Dr Holohan says the country is now experiencing a "sudden" and "unsustainable" surge in the epidemic, and urged people to cut back on socialising.
