Justin and Hailey Bieber could be the next stars to get in trouble with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
The married couple threw a party at their Beverly Hills mansion on Sunday night, hosting a wide array of their famous friends like Jaden Smith, Luka Sabbat, Winnie Harlow, and Kendall and Kylie Jenner, according to photos published by the Daily Mail. Guests hugged and gathered closely, seemingly failing to wear masks or abide by social distancing guidelines, although it does appear they kept the party outdoors, which helps lower risk of transmission.
According to an order issued by Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti on August 7, however, “All public and private gatherings of any number of people are prohibited” and everyone “must wear face coverings and adopt social distancing requirements.” The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has also issued an order “prohibit[ing] gatherings, including parties, during the coronavirus pandemic in order to protect the health and lives of county residents.” And on August 5, Mayor Garcetti announced that he would authorize the Department of Water and Power to shut off utilities to homes and businesses violating that order, adding, “We will not act lightly.”
Recent data shows that COVID cases in L.A. County are generally on the decline, but numbers among the area’s younger population have been on the rise. Local news channel ABC 7 reported on August 7 that “Over half of new cases in the county are in residents between the ages of 18 and 49,” and, across the country, “rates for patients 18-29 has more than doubled since April, actually matching the rate of people over the age of 80.”
Los Angeles County public health director Barbara Ferrer told the outlet, “It’s also important to remember that although you, as an individual, particularly a younger adult, may not suffer these devastating consequences from COVID-19, you could infect someone you love, and that could be a relative or a friend, and you could infect someone in your community, who could get very sick and unfortunately pass away.”
The mayor has already made an example out of TikTok star Bryce Hall—shutting off his mansion’s water and power following his massive 21st birthday party—so it seems Garcetti wouldn’t hesitate to act swiftly again, even against the Biebs and his famous friends.
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