"They're only interns," said the employee who did not want to give his name. "Our regular workers and those in the probation period are qualified, but those caught in the random inspection are interns who are still getting familiar with their working environment and duties."

He said the interns were working under the supervision of regular employees to cover jobs that didn't involve directly serving hotel guests. "Something like assisting the front desk," he said.

A spokeswoman for Hanting Inns & Hotels said the budget chain is investigating the charge of "lacking public health permit" at their Pujiang town branch. "We haven't confirmed it yet," she said.

The hygiene issue in hotels has drawn wide concern since last year when media reported that staff members at the country's leading budget hotel chains use face towels to clean cups and toilets.

In March, a couple of reporters worked undercover at a Home Inn hotel in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, and found that the hotel maids cleaned toilets with face towels, according to a local newspaper.

"I was shocked to see the news last year. I often choose budget hotels when I have business trip because they look clean and economic. It's really disgusting to learn this," said Wang Lubing, a local resident who works for an IT company.

The Shanghai Health Supervision Department said it will beef up the supervision and inspections of local economy hotels. It will also work with local tourism department, informing the public the most recent hygiene information on hotels.

Hua Wenqing contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at wanghongyi@chinadaily.com.cn and shiyingying@chinadaily.com.cn