Expats in Singapore, Hong Kong Watch With Envy as World Opens Up

Singapore and Hong Kong, among the world’s most open economies, have practically shut their doors for more than a year to keep Covid-19 in check. But as the U.S. and Europe emerge from the pandemic, the cities’ businesses and expatriates are starting to question whether they’ve been too slow to reopen.

At stake are their reputations as top business and finance hubs in Asia, with Singapore’s reach stretching from India to Australia and Hong Kong as the gateway to mainland China. Tighter borders and quarantines, along with sustained local lockdowns, are taking a toll.