SINGAPORE consumer businesses in Shanghai expect it could take 2 more weeks before they can reopen, and longer yet for normalcy to return, with the city's first prolonged large-scale lockdown having already hit operations hard – though not necessarily hurting longer-term optimism.

China's financial hub had aimed to stop the community spread of Covid-19 and ease lockdown restrictions by Wednesday (Apr 20). Yet only supermarkets and factories are gradually reopening so far, with the future uncertain for shopping malls and retail brands.

Sharon Wong, founder of baby product retailer Motherswork, does not expect Shanghai's malls to receive the green light for reopening any earlier than May 1. All of Motherswork's 3 outlets in the city have been closed since Mar 23.