An ERSI study also found nearly half of people don't know it's free to call any GP to discuss Covid symptoms.
Over 70 percent of people believe someone who contracts Covid-19 has been reckless or careless in following public health advice.
That's according to a new survey from the ESRI which says that fear of being blamed may be a barrier to arranging a test quickly.
It also found that almost half of people don't know that calling their GP to discuss Covid-19 symptoms is free.
Dr Shane Timmins from the ESRI says there are many misconceptions about getting a test.
''Most people know that they can ring their own GP if they're experiencing symptoms'', he said.
''But less than a third of people are aware that you can ring any GP or an out of hours service.
''We also found that just under half of people are unaware that if you ring y our GP to discuss symptoms that you think might be Covid, that that service is free of charge.
''And if you do need a test, that's also free''.
