Bars, Internet cafes and spa centers are not subject to the new regulation on entertainment venues, which said venues have to be closed from 2 AM to 8 AM, Beijing News reported on Friday, citing an official of the Ministry of Culture.

Entertainment venues refer to profit-oriented businesses like discotheques and gaming parlors, according to the new rule.

Zhang Xinjian, an official with the ministry, said bars and spas are not entertainment venues, because performances are not the establishments' main role and service.

Zhang said 2 AM to 8 AM is a tough time for operators and government officials to supervise entertainment venues. Besides, many accidents happen during those hours.

The regulation, endorsed by Premier Wen Jiabao, will go into force on March 1.

The regulation also prohibits teenagers in entertainment venues.

It requires a discotheque to install closed circuit televisions at main passages on its premises and must ensure the monitoring system works during open hours.

No view restricting partitions should be installed in VIP suites of discotheques. The VIP rooms should not have locks that can be secured from inside, the rule says.

Heads of government departments will be fired if their departments or subordinates operate entertainment facilities, the regulation said.

Relatives of employees at cultural administration or public security bureaus are also prohibited from operating such businesses.

The number of crimes, including sex services and drug use, fire accidents, and violations of intellectual property rights, have been on the rise at such venues in recent years.

(Shanghai Daily February 19, 2006)