Hundreds attend outdoor concert in Stonington in violation of rules

Event at Saltwater Farm Vineyard got the attention of Ledge Light Health District and town officials

Stonington — An outdoor concert at Saltwater Farm Vineyard attended by several hundred people Saturday afternoon attracted the attention of Ledge Light Health District and town officials because it violated COVID- 19 capacity restrictions.

Just before 3 p. m. Saturday, almost 200 cars and two shuttle buses were parked along the narrow dirt road leading into the popular wedding and event destination on Route 1A, also known as Elm Street. Traffic was backed up onto Route 1A near the intersection of Route 1. On the vineyard property, people wore masks and were sitting in groups apart from each other on the large lawn. However, people waiting in line in the vineyard building were not social distancing.

Saturday was the first day of the vineyard’s Fall Music series that ran from 3 to 5 p. m. Another concert is slated for today at the same time, followed by concerts on weekends through the end of the month, according to the vineyard website.

Steve Mansfield, director of health for Ledge Light Health District, and one of his food inspectors as well as police responded to the vineyard late Saturday afternoon to inspect the

premises after being alerted to the crowds at the event. Mansfield said Saturday night that while the vineyard was operating in violation of COVID- 19 sector rules, he was convinced it was doing so unknowingly.

“Our biggest concern is that we do not want to have a super spreader event,” he said.

While Gov. Ned Lamont reduced operating capacities effective Friday due to increasing number of COVID- 19 cases, Mansfield said the vineyard concerts slated for Saturday and today still could operate at higher Phase 3 capacity because they had previously been scheduled.

He said that meant the vineyard could have a total of 280 people inside and outside. He said the vineyard thought there was no limit on outside seating, as long as people maintained social distancing.

From a public health perspective, Mansfield said he would rather see people outside because the risk of transmitting the coronavirus is lower there than it is indoors.

As of Monday, though, he said the sector rules will change for the vineyard and it will only be allowed to have 50% of its capacity both inside and outside, for a total of 140 people. He said future concerts would have to adhere to that limit.

Mansfield, who discussed the regulations in place for the vineyard with state officials Saturday, said vineyard management was very forthcoming with him and his staff.

He said the vineyard was warned there are significant financial penalties if it fails to follow the capacity rules going forward.

The vineyard could not be reached for comment Saturday night.