The couple who flouted rules to have a 113 guest wedding at Long Island country club that became a superspreader event and closed several schools, forced 159 people into quarantine and sparked 30 COVID cases
The New York couple whose wedding at an upscale Long Island country club flouted the state's gathering restrictions and became a 'superspreader' event linked to more than 30 COVID-19 cases have been identified.
Cydnie Piscatello and James Rugnetta tied the knot at North Fork Country Club in Cutchogue, Suffolk County, on October 17 in front of 113 guests - more than double the 50-person limit set out in the state's executive order for non-essential gatherings.
Since then, at least 34 people - 30 wedding guests, three country club employees and an outside vendor - have tested positive for COVID-19, Suffolk County Health officials said.
The outbreak also resulted in the exposure of members of the wider community, sending 159 people into a two-week quarantine and forcing several schools to suspend in-person learning.
New York State health officials on Monday announced the wedding venue had lost its liquor license for 'flagrantly' violating pandemic-related restrictions.
The family declined to comment when contacted by DailyMail.com.
The New York couple whose wedding at an upscale Long Island country club flouted the state's gathering restrictions and became a 'superspreader' event linked to more than 30 COVID-19 cases have been identified as Cydnie Piscatello and James Rugnetta (pictured)
Piscatello and Rugnetta (pictured) tied the knot at North Fork Country Club in Cutchogue, Suffolk County, on October 17 in front of 113 guests - more than double the 50-person limit set out in the state's executive order for non-essential gatherings
The wedding venue has now lost its liquor license following the 'superspreader' nuptials. The family declined to comment when contacted by DailyMail.com. Pictured the couple together
Officials did not specify which schools were affected by the outbreak however, five positive cases linked to the event have been found at Gelinas Junior High School, Mattituck Junior-Senior High School, Hampton Bays High School, Northport Senior High School and Eastport South Manor Junior-Senior High School, according to the NY Post.
The move comes following an investigation last month by health officials who then referred the case to the New York State Liquor Authority.
The NYSLA Friday charged the venue 'multiple counts of failure to comply with Governor Cuomo's Executive Orders' and 'failure to exercise adequate supervision of their premises.' ]
'By now, every licensee should be well aware of the protocols in place to stop the spread and should know that an event like this is unacceptable. We are still in the midst of a public health crisis, and the SLA will continue to hold those who ignore these lifesaving rules accountable,' SLA Chairman Vincent Bradley said.
Governor Cuomo called the violations in the state, which was hit hardest at the peak of the pandemic earlier this year, 'obnoxious and irresponsible - not to mention illegal.'
'We are eight months into this pandemic and simply will not tolerate businesses that put New Yorkers at risk. Those who continue to ignore the rules will lose their ability to serve alcohol, and I thank Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and his team for their cooperation in holding these bad actors accountable,' Governor Cuomo said.
The venue now faces up to $30,000 in fines.
At least 34 virus cases have been linked to the wedding at North Fork Country Club (pictured) in Cutchogue on October 17
Superspreader event: 113 people attended the wedding, exceeding the state's 50-person limit on gatherings. Pictured: Stock image of the venue
The surge in cases last month were also traced back to a second 'superspreader' event held on the same day, when 50 people gathered together for a birthday party in Bellport.
Despite being in compliance with gathering restrictions, 26 party guests tested positive for the virus, sending 132 people into quarantine.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said the outbreak at the gathering was likely due to a lack of social distancing.
'This type of blatant disregard for the wellbeing of others is not only extremely disappointing, it will not be tolerated. Suffolk County took swift action to contain the community spread this wedding could have caused, and I commend Governor Cuomo for taking appropriate action. If you violate the rules, you will be caught and you will be held responsible,' Bellone said on Monday.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (pictured) last month announced the venue had been fined $17,000. He warned officials will be cracking down on homeowners who host large gatherings at their home
The outbreak comes amid a troubling spike in cases across New York, which was once the epicenter of the pandemic.
Nearly 49,000 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Suffolk County since March, with 2,019 deaths.
Authorities have warned of strict penalties for anyone caught violating health restrictions, including homeowners or residents found hosting large gatherings at their home.
In Farmingville, homeowner Kim Catalanotto was issued a $2,500 fine after 200 to 300 people attended a party at her house last month, officials said.
Two weeks earlier, the Miller Place Inn was hit with a $12,000 fine after hosting a 80-guest Sweet 16 party that was linked to 37 cases.
Governor Andrew Cuomo this week warned against both large and small gatherings, which he said are now both causes for concern.
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