China is drafting a new regulation to curb the spread of infectious diseases in tens of thousands of bathhouses that still operate in the country, Beijing Times reported on Sunday.

The new regulation will be issued by Ministry of Health and Ministry of Commerce. The two ministries will solicit comments from local health departments before the regulation comes into effect.

Bathhouses will have to ensure there are change rooms and each client is provided with a locker, the regulation says.

(Xinhua News Agency February 5, 2007)