Dr Tony Holohan has told both RTE and Newstalk radio stations this morning that we have socialised "too much" over the last fortnight.
His warning comes on the same day as Level 3 restrictions ease but stricter rules are being floated for after Christmas.
The Chief Medical Officer said that no sector was "being picked on" but did add that it was almost impossible to keep a lid on public health advice when alcohol was involved.
Easing of Level 3 restrictions have now kicked into place today with relaxing of travel and household rules allowing people to roam around the country in the lead-up to Christmas.
But the CMO is worried about the damage that would be caused if current restrictions were maintained after Christmas Day and into the New Year with possible celebrations a hotbed for virus activity.
He said: "We think the length of time as we move today into a set of Christmas arrangements, the length of time incorporating both Christmas and the New Year, with what's happened to the disease over the course of the last ten to 15 days. [It] is simply too long."
"Alcohol let's be honest is a particular challenge for us in this country, a particular challenge in maintaining social distancing and high standards of public health behaviours.
"If we continue to see levels of infection at or growing from the levels we're experiencing at the moment, we may have to make further advice available.
"We have made advice available now in respect of the period ahead and Government will give consideration to that and no doubt in due course and in due time will make its decisions known."
And like all NPHET advice, it is now up to the Government to either accept, reject or negotiate the suggestions at hand.
Dr Holohan added: "It gives us to the basis to say to Government that we're concerned, that we need to take action early to prevent this from leading to a much greater surge of infection in the early part of the New Year."
You can find the full list of changes that were implemented from midnight here.
It is understood that the National Public Health Emergency Team has advised the government to close pubs and restaurants again from either of these three dates.
In a letter to the government, NPHET said that household visits should be reduced to one other household as part of the new restrictions.
They also urged the government to shut down pubs and restaurants after Christmas with a decision expected from the Government when they meet next Tuesday.
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said a decision will be made on the raft of measures that will be introduced after Christmas by Tuesday.
But the Fine Gael leader denied it would be effectively a Level 5 lockdown on RTE’s Prime Time and said ‘alarming’ recent figures had meant a change was necessary.
From Friday December 18, people are allowed to travel anywhere in Ireland and three households are allowed to meet up and this is currently in place until January 6 but is set to change as stated.
The changes – which come even as public health officials warn of a "troubling" spike in case numbers – will spell a number of changes for families around the country.
They're designed to give people some licence to travel home to other counties in order to see loved ones or family members.
