The "Safe & Sound" benefit concert took place in Southampton Saturday, according to Jack Sterne, a spokesman for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Gov. Cuomo tweeted Monday that he was "appalled" by videos from the concert that "show egregious social distancing violations" and that the state has "no tolerance for the illegal & reckless endangerment of public health."
Gatherings over 50 banned
The event page advertised the concert, headlined by The Chainsmokers, as a socially distanced drive-in benefit concert that would allow 600 vehicles.
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker sent a letter Monday inquiring about the concert to Southhampton's Supervisor Jay Schneiderman. The commissioner noted that New York is still in a declared state of emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic and that several executive orders and health regulations requiring social distancing have been issued since March.
All non-essential gatherings of more than 50 people are currently banned in the state, with a maximum fine of $1,000 for violating social distancing protocol.
State Health Commissioner 'greatly disturbed'
In the letter to the town's supervisor, Zucker said he was "greatly disturbed" by the reports of "thousands of people in close proximity, out of their vehicles, a VIP area where there was no pretense of a vehicle, and generally not adhering to social distancing guidance."
"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," Zucker wrote.
Zucker demanded in the letter that Schneiderman respond within 24 hours as to whether the town issued a permit for the concert, under what conditions a permit was issued, and why the concert was allowed to continue "when it became clear violations were rampant."
Supervisor Schneiderman's band was also scheduled to play a set before the main act during the concert, according to the event page.
CNN has reached out to Schneiderman and local police for comment.
Schneiderman blamed organizers for not following approved plans for the event during interviews with local newspapers.
"They opened up a VIP pit area and that was where most of the problems were," he told The Independent of East End.
"As proposed to us, it met the guidelines," he told The East Hampton Star. "However, the organizers didn't strictly adhere to it."
Concert producers say they had measures to prevent virus spread
In a statement issued Monday, the concert's producers, In The Know Experiences and Invisible Noise said they "made best efforts to ensure New York's social distancing guidelines were properly maintained throughout the event" and "collaborated with all state and local health officials to keep everyone safe."
All guests were instructed to self-monitor their daily temperature for two weeks prior to the event, the producers said. At the concert, individuals in every car had their temperatures c
