Dr Tony Holohan has said that vaccinations and low transmission are the key factors as the Government aims to continue with the reopening of the country.
Earlier this week, inter-county travel returned while retail and personal services received a huge boost as thousands got back to work.
Next month will see the hospitality sector resume with outdoor dining and drinks in June, but the Chief Medical Officer has said that the further easing of restrictions will be dependent on Ireland's vaccine programme and the R number.
He said: "The two primary targets as we try to exit the pandemic are vaccination and low transmission.
"If we can keep cases low and continue to vaccinate as many people as possible, we will find ourselves in a very different risk environment where we can see further easing of measures.
"Our task now is to keep the disease under control by following the basic measures and taking up our vaccine when it is offered to us."
Earlier this evening, NPHET reported nine more Covid-related deaths, while 379 new cases of the virus were confirmed.
Despite this increase in the number of deaths when compared to yesterday's figure of zero, Dr Holohan was optimistic that the country is continuing to make good progress.
However, the CMO also stressed the need to adhere to the correct healthcare regulations and measures.
He explained: “This week is a hopeful week and one that we have all been looking forward to.
"We have gotten to this point by working together in following the public health advice and reducing the incidence of disease in our communities."
On a cautious note, he added: "We need to continue to focus on the measures that we know can protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19 - we can plan to meet friends and family where it is safe to do so and those who have been vaccinated can have confidence in their vaccine.
"They are now able to get out and about and enjoy the benefits of the vaccine."
