East Patchogue Business Violated COVID-19 Guidelines: Cuomo

EAST PATCHOGUE, NY — An East Patchogue restaurant was among the list of 21 businesses who recently had their liquor licenses suspended for violating state coronavirus guidelines, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday.

The Pine Grove Inn on 1st Street was accused of violating social distancing guidelines after hosting a massive event with hundreds of people not wearing masks or social distancing last month, according to state officials. On Sept. 26, Suffolk police responded to the business after getting multiple 911 calls regarding social distancing violations, reckless driving, and car blocking driveways in the surrounding area, Cuomo stated. Police reportedly found between 200 and 300 people attending a "promoted event" at an unlicensed outdoor area of the premises, Cuomo said. While state officials did not specify what the event was, a local resident told Patch that the event was a car show in the parking lot of the business.

Most of the guests were not wearing facial coverings, ignoring social distancing and walking around the outdoor area with open containers, according to Cuomo. In addition, officers reported that the licensee and several members of the waitstaff also failed to wear facial coverings. They also found evidence of another advertised event at the location, state officials said.

This article originally appeared on the Patchogue Patch