While we now have some hope for a return to normality, there was more bad news for pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and non-essential retail outlets.
During his state of the nation address on Tuesday evening, Taoiseach Micheal Martin announced a number of changes to Ireland's lockdown rules for the month of April.
But despite the glorious weather, there wasn't much sunshine for the country's hospitality industry.
All pubs and restaurants will remain under lock and key until at least the middle of May, with this likely to be extended further unless cases rapidly fall in the next six weeks.
Sadly, home styling will continue for the foreseeable future, with hairdressers also forced to stay shut.
Shutters will also remain down on all non-essential retail outlets.
The news again comes as a massive blow for all involved, with hospitality chiefs earlier today calling on the Government to give their industries some “hope” for the future.
Ministers last night decided to adhere to NPHET advice and kick the can down the road when it comes to the reopening of bars and restaurants.
It is not now expected to see any sort of hospitality businesses open until the middle of May, when it is hoped that outdoor dining can get the green light.
In the meantime, the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) is looking for a roadmap based on metrics so their members at least can see a “light at the end of the tunnel.”
And publicans of the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) want some hope and certainty too.
LVA Chief Executive, Donall O’Keeffe, said: “After such an extended closure the Government has a duty of care to provide a pathway forward for the hundreds of thousands of people employed by these sectors.
“They can’t be left in perpetual lockdown.
“As we move into the second quarter of the year, surely it is time that the Government started sharing their broad plans with the rest of the country.
“We need hope.
“Hope is the glue that binds the current social contract and it needs to be tended to.
“No one is anticipating specific reopening dates will be announced at this point.
“But it is reasonable to expect that various indicators could be made publicly available, like the level of vaccines that will need to be administered or what levels of community transmission will support the opening of different industries.
“That is the least the people who are dependent on these sectors deserve.
“At the moment we are completely in the dark about when or how we might be in a position to reopen.
“It is time that Government provided some light.”
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