dec 27 reuters  gold prices firmed above the key 1800 level on tuesday as the us dollar weakened following chinas decision to ease covid curbs spot gold was up 06 at 180889 per ounce by 0955 gmt us gold futures climbed 08 to 181760 gold is performing in line with risk assets and further signs that king dollar is loosening its grip on the safe haven throne is also encouraging bullion bulls to restore spot prices back above the psychological 1800 mark said han tan chief market analyst at exinity the dollar index  the american currency and gold compete as rival safehaven assets gold has gained nearly 200 after falling to a more than twoyear low in late september as expectations about slower interest rate hikes from the us federal reserve dimmed the dollars allure gold was weaker for most of 2022 amid aggressive tightening of monetary policies rising real yields and dollar strength but the tide has turned as fed shifts into policy calibration mode said ocbc fx strategist christopher wong sustained recovery in gold prices is possible if fed pivots higher rates diminish golds antiinflationary appeal and increase the opportunity cost of holding the asset as it pays no interest china announced on monday that inbound travellers would no longer have to go into quarantine from jan 8 and the new rule will make it much easier for people to return home as chinas pivot away from covid zero filters through the worlds second largest economy that should result in restored appetite for bullion tan added in other metals spot silver rose 21 to 2422 per ounce platinum added 08 to 102963 reporting by arundhati sarkar and ashitha shivaprasad in bengaluru editing by vinay dwivedi