Local officials in the Hamptons could face “civil fines and possible criminal liability” during a packed weekend concert with The Chainsmokers that flaunted social distancing restrictions, Governor Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday.
Cuomo said the Southampton drive-in charity concert on Saturday night, which drew more than 2,000 concertgoers, was “disrespectfully disrespectful to his fellow New Yorkers” and is now the subject of an investigation by the Health Department of the state.
“The concert that took place in the city of Southampton was a serious violation not only of public health standards, but a serious violation of common sense,” said the governor during a briefing.
“There have also been reports we have been receiving of behavior in the town of Southampton that has been ongoing and recurring that also violates public health regulations,” he said. “So, that (investigation) is ongoing and is being handled by the Department of Health, violations of public health law have civil penalties and potential for criminal liability, so we take it very seriously.”
Cuomo announced the state investigation Monday, criticizing the program for “egregious violations of social estrangement.”
In a letter to city officials Monday, state health commissioner Howard Zucker said he was “extremely disturbed” by the meeting, with footage from the concert showing fans standing shoulder to shoulder in front of the Water Mill stage.
In addition to The Chainsmokers, the show included opening performances by City Supervisor Jay Schneiderman and Goldman Sach CEO David Solomon, also known as DJ D-Sol.
Schneiderman told The Post on Tuesday that the city’s permit for the event did not allow concert goers to band together, but said “we will hold organizers accountable for that.”
“I checked some of the videos and aerial images, and for most of the event it seems like they followed the guidelines and at the end of the event they went astray and that’s unfortunate,” he said.
“I asked the organizers to identify how many people entered that well. It is unclear, but it was approximately 100. I have asked everyone to be tested and if anyone is positive we will take steps to make sure they are quarantined. “
Organizers insisted on a statement that they followed the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the program, “and did everything possible to ensure that New York’s social distancing guidelines were properly maintained throughout the event. .
Organizers, The Know Experiences and Invisible Noise, said attendees were told to stay within their designated section to observe social estrangement, and were offered masks and hand sanitizer. They said the announcement was made every 30 minutes, they said.
The event raised money for No Kid Hungry, Southampton Fresh Air Home and New York’s CHildren’s Medical Fund, they said.
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