The Project stars predict Christmas will be in lockdown

Hosts of The Project predict that NSW and Victoria will most likely be in lockdown all the way through to Christmas.

It’s the question on every NSW and Victoria’s resident’s minds right now... will the two states be in lockdown for Christmas?

Well, according to the hosts of The Project, yes they will.

“Do you think we’ll be in a different spot by Christmas than we are now?” asked Georgie Tunny.

Georgie Tunny questioned whether or not lockdowns will extend to the end of the year. Picture: Channel 10

“I can’t imagine,” said Waleed Aly.

“Not before Christmas, no,” Peter Helliar blankly stated. “I’m fascinated. If Victoria goes to press these numbers down low, do they open the border to NSW if they keep going – you know, if it stays where it is now. Like before Christmas? Do you think Victorians will be happy to open the border? I think that they will eventually,” he continued.

Peter Helliar isn't confident that lockdown will be over before Christmas. Picture: Channel 10

The conversation came after the panellists discussed Victoria Premier Dan Andrews’ announcement on Tuesday that he will be loosening some covid restrictions in Victoria.

As the state’s case numbers remain around 70 per day, Mr Andrews revealed he will announce new thresholds of low case numbers that will allow the state’s lockdown to end.

Chief health officer Brett Sutton and the State Government will finalise a “detailed plan” on Tuesday night and it will be announced on Wednesday.

Mr Andrews did not reveal the magic number on Tuesday but indicated it would need to be as close to zero as possible because there was no middle ground in case loads with the Delta variant.

Dan Andrews will announce some ease of restrictions on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Wayne Taylor

“If we can’t achieve zero, despite our best efforts, how many cases can we tolerate? It will need to be a low number. It cannot be in the hundreds. Because it won’t be in the hundreds for long. It will raise and get away from us,” Mr Andrews explained.

“Then, based on those thresholds and those low case numbers, we will make further announcements about things that can be eased. Those announcements will be made tomorrow.

“I want to stress, for all Victorians, no decision has been made about what will be on that list and not on that list. It’s not like we made a decision and I’m not sharing it, it genuinely hasn’t been made.

“We’re looking at all manner of different things we might be able to do, but I do want to be very clear with the people of Victoria. This will not be freedom day. It will not be an opening up tight day. It will be modest changes that hopefully can be meaningful in people’s lives. As much economic activity as is possible, but they will be very modest changes because there is no middle ground here.”

Mr Andrews announced 76 new cases in the past 24 hours.

There are now 841 active cases in Victoria.

It’s likely that NSW will not be out of lockdown before Christmas. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

There are 52 people in hospital, 16 of them in the ICU and 15 of those on a ventilator.

NSW has recorded 1164 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and three deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 26,820.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Tuesday that the change of season and the rate of vaccination should instil hope in residents.

Ms Berejiklian said the change of season and the rate of vaccination should bring hope for residents.