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NY fines The Chainsmokers promoter £20,000 over poor safety measures

Promoters of a summer concert featuring The Chainsmokers have been fined £20,000 from New York officials for violating an executive order by hosting a “non-essential” gathering that failed to enforce required COVID-19 safety measures.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday that the state had fined concert promoter In The Know Experiences for failing to require attendees to wear masks and enforce other health measures.

Cuomo said in a statement: “As I said immediately following reports of the event, it was an egregious violation of the critical public health measures we have had in place since the beginning of this pandemic to protect New Yorkers from COVID-19.”

The state has also sanctioned the town of Southampton, Long Island, meaning it will not be allowed to approve permits for group gatherings without first earning approval from the state.

The Safe & Sound Hamptons concert, which was a charity series that hosted its first show in Southampton in July, was scheduled to host 2,000 fans for a drive-in experience to allow for a COVID-19-safe environment.

However, in a video that circulated, the crowd seemed to be dancing in close proximity to one another near the stage.

Following complaints at the time, Cuomo said he was “appalled” by the videos from the concert, which he said showed “egregious social distancing violations.”

Prior to the event, organisers stated that they intended to provide a “new live event concept” that is both “safe and enjoyable” and carried out in a “controlled and safe environment.”

Each group of attendees (four to six people per car) was to be given a designated spot on the concert grounds, where they could park their vehicle and view the show.

On the ticketing page, organisers stated that those who leave their designated area for any reason other than to use the bathroom would be asked to leave.

In response to the backlash of the videos showing an apparent lack of social distancing, In The Know Experiences and Invisible Noise released a statement in July stating that the show “followed the guidelines created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

Tickets for the benefit started at $1,250 for per-car prices, and the super VIP package reached $25,000. Proceeds were earmarked for No Kid Hungry, Southampton Fresh Air Home and the Children’s Medical Fund of New York.

Image: Tixr