Gold fell nearly 1 per cent on Tuesday as LockDown easing plans boost risk appetite by some countries easing coronavirus-induced restrictions, although recession fears and hopes for more stimulus kept the bullion near the $1,700 level.

Spot gold eased 0.7 per cent to $1,702.00 per ounce by 0701 GMT, after falling as much as 1.4 per cent during the session. US gold futures fell 0.4 per cent to $1,716.20 per ounce.

Some countries, including Italy and New Zealand, announced an easing of lockdowns and more parts of the United States looked set to restart business.