By Lookout Staff

August 25, 2020 -- Santa Monica on Tuesday cracked down on "super spreader" gatherings of more than 20 people, with violators facing fines and having their water shut off.

The twenty-fourth supplement "holds persons responsible for holding or allowing large gatherings at a residence or other private property strictly liable regardless of whether the person was present at the gathering," officials said.

Violations of the supplemental order are punishable as a misdemeanor or by administrative citation, officials said.

Administrative penalties are set at $500 for a first violation, $750 for a second violation and $1,000 for a third violation committed within one year.

After a citation has been issued, the City can shut off water service "to the residence or other private property," officials said.

"This is intended to make explicit that these 'super spreader' events are strictly prohibited in Santa Monica and will be enforced as private parties have increased regionally," officials said.

Under the supplemental order, "responsible persons" include owners, tenants, landlords and managers of properties.

It also includes "the persons who organize the prohibited gatherings, regardless of whether they are present at the gathering."

While the supplemental order covers gatherings of 20 or more persons, gatherings with non-household members in smaller numbers "remains generally prohibited by LA County’s Safer at Home Order," officials said.

Gatherings "expressly permitted" by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Safer at Home Order are not covered by the supplemental order.

The supplement issued Tuesday also extends the eviction moratorium for commercial tenant 1s through September 30.