‘Egregious social distancing’ at Chainsmokers show prompts investigation, Cuomo says

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday night an investigation into a crowded drive-in concert last weekend featuring The Chainsmokers.

Cuomo tweeted a video from the fundraiser concert in the Hamptons, expressing his displeasure.

“Videos from a concert held in Southampton on Saturday show egregious social distancing violations. I am appalled,” the governor tweeted. “The Department of Health will conduct an investigation.”

An estimated 2,000 people attended the concert, headlined by DJ duo The Chainsmokers, Deadline reported. It was held at a 100-acre outdoor park, and organizers said they would follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Billboard reported.

Video from the concert show hundreds of people directly in front of the stage, appearing to not be socially distanced.

Organizers and attendees of the show say the concert was safe, according to Buzzfeed News. In the Know Experience, an agency that helped put on the event, told the publication there were steel barricades and dividers in the pit area to help separate groups and guests were instructed that they could not leave their area unless they had to use the restroom.

Concertgoer Jamie Books said “everyone was social distancing and being responsible,” while fellow patron Sierra Smith said she “felt very safe and it was a ton of fun,” Buzzfeed reported.

The concert came under fire Monday as images began to circulate on social media. The Chainsmokers trended on Twitter, as some users questioned why people would risk becoming infected with the coronavirus to see the popular DJ duo.

The Chainsmokers also plan to have fundraiser concerts in Miami, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Nashville and Chicago, according to advertisements passed out at the concert. They have not commented publicly since Saturday’s concert.

A letter sent by New York health commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker to the Southampton supervisor Jay Schneiderman stated he was “greatly disturbed by reports concerning the ‘drive-in’ concert held in your town,” according to Today.

“I am at a loss as to how the Town of Southampton could have issued a permit for such an event, how they believed it was legal and not an obvious public health threat,” he added.

Social gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed under Phase 4 of New York’s coronavirus reopening plan, the state announced last month.

“We have no tolerance for the illegal & reckless endangerment of public health,” Cuomo tweeted.