Pandemic-denying arsonists set hotspot coronavirus testing clinic on fire and spray ‘Covid = lies’ and ‘fight the government, refuse control’ on the wall

• Gladys Berejiklian slammed arsonists after setting Covid testing clinic alight 
• Demountable building set on fire at North St Marys, Sydney’s west, on Saturday
• Covid conspiracy theories were found spray painted on walls of wreckage site
• Ms Berejiklian said she was ‘disappointed’ at the act of arson committed at clinic 

Gladys Berejiklian has slammed arsonists who set a testing clinic on fire and spray-painted Covid-denying slogans on its walls.

The premier said she was ‘disappointed’ after the demountable building was set alight and vandalised in North St Marys, in Sydney’s west, at 11pm on Saturday.

‘It is always disappointing when people ignore health advice or pretend that Covid-19 is not a serious problem,’ she said during a press conference on Sunday.  

‘But fortunately, those people are in the minority.’

Conspiracy theories were found spray painted on the walls at the site and included phrases, ‘Covid = lies’ and ‘fight the government, refuse control’. 

Gladys Berejiklian has slammed arsonists who set a testing clinic on fire and spray painted Covid-19 conspiracy theories on its walls

The premier said she was ‘disappointed’ after the demountable building was set alight and vandalised at North St Marys, in Sydney’s west, at 11pm on Saturday

‘It is a reminder to us that unfortunately a minority of people do have those views and demonstrate them from time to time and that is the threat of Delta,’ Ms Berejiklian said.    

The premier acknowledged the stay-at-home orders across Sydney were taking its toll on families as the city came close to finishing its ninth week of lockdown.

‘I know that the decisions the NSW Government has taken and the language we have used in dealing with Covid-19 might seem confronting,’ she said.

‘But this is the way for all of Australia and into the future and those people who think that Covid-19 is not serious or those who think we do not need to take the action we are taking are in the minority, fortunately.’ 

A crime scene has been established at the burned testing clinic and firefighters are investigation the cause of the fire. It is being treated as suspicious. 

NSW has had another record-breaking day with 1,218 new Covid cases.

Ms Berejiklian said the state also had its highest-ever week of jabs, with 834,000 people rolling up their sleeves.

A crime scene has been established at the burned testing clinic and an investigation into the cause of the fire is underway. It is being treated as suspicious 

The premier acknowledged the stay-at-home orders across Greater Sydney were taking its toll on families as the city came close to finishing its ninth week of lockdown

Sixty-five per cent of the population have had one dose, and 35 per cent have had two.

‘So we are halfway to that magic 70 per cent number across the state in order to have those extra freedoms,’ she said.

Ms Berejiklian explained the government is ‘looking forward to providing freedoms’ once 70 per cent of the population has had a double dose – adding that LGAs with lower case numbers before mid-October could have reduced restrictions. 

On Saturday it was revealed that plans are being considered by the NSW government to ban patrons from entering pubs and restaurants unless they’ve had the jab.

There is also a possibility all hospitality staff and patrons will need prove they have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine before entering bars and restaurants.

Six people died in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday, including three people in their 80s and three people in their 70s.  

NSW has had another record-breaking day with 1,218 new Covid cases reported on Sunday 

Ms Berejiklian said the state also had its highest-ever week of jabs, with a whopping 834,000 people rolling up their sleeves 

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