DHAKA: The United Nations’ Aids agency on Monday condemned a draft Chinese regulation to ban HIV-positive people from spas and public bathhouses, as campaign groups expressed outrage over the proposal.

The proposed Ministry of Commerce rule is the latest instance of longstanding discrimination against HIV-positive people in China.

A draft was posted online by China’s State Council, or cabinet, and orders spas and similar establishments to prominently display signs prohibiting ‘people with sexually transmitted diseases, Aids and infectious skin diseases’.

Hedia Belhadj, China country coordinator for UNAIDS, said Monday it was concerned by the provision and called for it to be removed, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1529 HRS, OCT 14, 2013
RoR/SRS