Los Angeles residents who continue to party may have their power and water shut off as Mayor Eric Garcetti looks to stop the spread of the coronavirus in the city, KCAL, a CBS affiliate out of Los Angeles, reported.

California has seen a rise in coronavirus cases with Los Angeles County at the epicenter of those outbreaks. The county has reported over 197,900 positive cases of the coronavirus, with over 4,800 deaths.

Garcetti confirmed to KCAL that he has authorized the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to shut off utilities in instances where there is “egregious” ignoring of public health protocols at homes during the coronavirus pandemic.

To further discourage large house parties, Los Angeles City Councilman David Ryu issued a motion on Wednesday that would increase penalties for those that continue to host large parties. The penalties also include water and power shutoffs and occupancy permit revocation.

“Despite a pandemic that has killed thousands in Los Angeles, some homeowners are choosing to put everyone at risk by renting out their homes to massive house parties,” Ryu said (via KCAL). “This is irresponsible bordering on deadly, and it must be stopped.

“Whether it takes shutting off utilities or revoking their permits, we must do what it takes to shut these party houses down,” he added.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has also has decried the violating of social distancing by young people who are holding parties, blaming them for the recent spike in new coronavirus cases.

“We cannot continue to do what we have done over the past few weeks,” Newsom said in June during a state coronavirus briefing. “The reality is people are mixing, and that is increasing the spread of this virus. That shouldn’t surprise anybody. ... We are putting people’s lives at risk.”

roommates contract coronavirus after attending a party
roommates contract coronavirus after attending a party bridgesward - Pixabay
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