A Dublin based GP said between 80 to 90% of people who contact him with Covid-19 symptoms, aren't able to get a test.
Most of the public will still be excluded from getting tested for COVID-19, despite the widening of testing criteria from the HSE.
The new criteria, which came into effect this morning, says anyone in priority groups who show one symptom for COVID 19 now qualifies for a test, whereas previously they had to show two symptoms, including a fever.
They now only have to show either of a fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
The HSE lists the priority groups as anyone at risk of severe infection, healthcare workers and those who live with them, nursing home staff and residents and anyone in close contact of a confirmed case.
Anyone who is not in one of those categories who displays a symptom won't be deferred for a test and will be asked to self isolate.
However Dublin-based GP Dr Maitiu O Tuathail said: ''Between 80 to 90% of people who contact me as a GP with symptoms of Covid-19, are not able to get a test based on the criteria we're using''.
''And that won't change significantly as of the change of criteria today''.
The HSE is aiming to test 100 thousand people per week by the middle of next month.
