Suffolk Executive Bellone announces recent crackdowns on 'COVID-19 spreader events'

He says North Fork Country Club in Cutchogue is facing up to $17,000 in fines after hosting a wedding on Oct. 17 with over 90 people in attendance -- a fine of $15,000 for violating the governor's executive order and a $2,000 for violation of the county sanitary code.

News 12 Staff

Oct 29, 2020, 2:37 AM

Updated 1,444 days ago

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Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced recent crackdowns by the county on "COVID-19 super-spreader events" during a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
He says North Fork Country Club in Cutchogue is facing up to $17,000 in fines after hosting a wedding on Oct. 17 with over 90 people in attendance -- a fine of $15,000 for violating the governor's executive order and a $2,000 for violation of the county sanitary code.
Bellone calls the event a "super-spreader" because around a third of the guests tested positive for COVID-19. He says 159 contacts are under quarantine as a result of the event.
He also discussed a Farmingville party that took place on Oct. 24, where police found 200 to 300 people in attendance, a majority of them minors. The county is recommending a $2,500 in fine to the resident who hosted the event.
Bellone says this is the first resident to be fined for violating the governor's COVID-19 orders.
There was also Bellport party that took place on Oct. 17 with around 50 people in attendance, resulting in at least 26 people testing positive for COVID-19 and 132 contacts under quarantine.
Bellone says while this event did not technically violate the governor's orders, it still should serve as a warning about how easily COVID-19 can spread at any gatherings—especially with Halloween days away and the holidays around the corner.
WATCH: Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announces new enforcement actions in response to recent COVID-19 spreader events.
Correction: The story originally incorrectly said the homeowner's fine was $15,000. It has since been changed to reflect the recommended amount, $2,500.