TikTok star has power cut off after hosting parties in Los Angeles
New York: The mayor of Los Angeles has shut off power to the Hollywood home of a TikTok "influencer" after he repeatedly hosted large parties in violation of the city's coronavirus regulations.
Bryce Hall, who has nearly 13 million followers on the social media app, hosted his 21st birthday party with a large number of guests despite warnings from the Los Angeles police.
"This house has turned into a nightclub in the hills, hosting large gatherings in flagrant violation of our public health orders," Eric Garcetti, mayor of Los Angeles, said in a statement on Wednesday.
"The city has now disconnected utilities at this home to stop these parties that endanger our community," he said.
Hall posted a video of himself outside his house, which had gone dark, on Wednesday night as a news helicopter circled above the property.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.Credit:AP
"With more than 2000 Angelenos and over 170,000 Americans lost to Covid-19, we need every resident to undertake critical safeguards to stop the spread of this virus," Garcetti added.
"That includes not hosting or attending parties that put themselves, their neighbours, and many others at risk."
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a warning about large parties on August 4.
"The consequences of these large parties ripple through our community because the virus can quickly and easily spread," it said in a statement.
Three days later, Hall threw a party that drew noise complaints from neighbours. Police arrived and warned attendees of civil and criminal penalties.
The following Friday, August 14, Mr Hall hosted another party at a separate home for his 21st birthday.
Footage from the event posted on Instagram shows dozens of people crowded together in one room without masks. While Hall has not commented on the development, he released a TikTok video of himself and a friend dancing to "Electric Love", in a possible reference to his home's loss of power.
Police issued citations for "noisy gatherings" at 13 homes at the weekend and were looking at cutting utilities to at least three, the Los Angeles Times said.
Telegraph, London