Chainsmokers: Concert organisers fined £15,000 for failing to make guests wear masks
Electronic duo sparked backlash after sharing footage from packed concert on social media
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The organisers of a Chainsmokers concert have been fined $20,000 (£15,000) for failing to enforce coronavirus safety measures during an event in July.
The electronic duo came under fire this summer after sharing footage from a concert in the Hamptons to social media in which audiences appeared to be tightly packed together.
At the time, New York governor Cuomo branded the concert “an illegal and reckless endangerment of public health” and called for an investigation into the event.
On Wednesday (15 October), he announced its results, with music promoters In The Know Experiences being fined $20,000 (£15,000) for holding a “non-essential gathering” and failing to make ticket holders wear masks.
In the future, the Hamptons town of Southampton will additionally not be able to approve permits for large group gatherings without going through the state.
“[The concert] 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,” Cuomo said in a statement.
“We will continue to hold people and businesses accountable for their actions and the local governments must enforce the rules or else we will hold them accountable as well.”
The concert was intended to raise money for a number of charities, with tickets reportedly ranging between $1,250 (£970) to $25,000 (£19,400).
Guests were meant to stay in their cars, but footage shared on social media showed packed crowds dancing together while not wearing masks.
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
Attendance required guests to fill an online Covid-19 questionnaire, wear a mask they were given upon arrival, and have their temperatures checked by staff.
The show was opened by DJ D-Sol, the onstage alter-ego of Goldman Sachs SEO David Solomon.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments