A temple in Rockland County is apparently not following the rules against social gatherings, despite Gov. Andrew Cuomo's mandate of no groups larger than 50 amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Cliff Saunders says a group of over 50 gathered for temple on Ridgeway Terrace in Spring Valley on Friday night. He says an even larger group gathered on Sunday.

Saunders says he is worried because his 89-year-old mother-in-law lives across the street and would be extremely susceptible to the coronavirus.

"I'm worried about a physical reaction to be honest with you. At her age, if you come down with this it gets very scary," he says.

Saunders says he lives 1,500 miles away and his hands are tied.

As of 8 p.m. Sunday, Cuomo's mandate stated that no gatherings of any kind will be permitted across the state.

"Right now, the way the executive order reads: if you violate an executive order by the governor, it comes with it a penalty," says Rockland County Executive Ed Day.

That penalty is $2,000. Day says Rockland has already given out the penalty, and they won't hesitate to give it out again.

"If you are out there risking the health and safety of this county, I for one will not tolerate it," says Day.

If the county Health Department is called to a gathering and people do not disperse, the next step would be to involve law enforcement. Law enforcement could then be exposed to the virus if responding to a gathering of unknowingly infected people. Saunders says he hopes people start to listen.

"Rules apply and laws apply to everyone. People are in this situation all over the country. It's not being done to punish you - it's being done to keep you safe and healthy and keep your family safe and healthy," he says.

Those who see a gathering in Rockland are asked to call the Health Department hotline at 845-364-2585.

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