Early Thursday morning in Asia, Reuters quotes anonymous sources to report, “US President Joe Biden's administration will extend requirements for travelers to wear masks on airplanes, trains and buses and at airports and train stations through mid-March to address ongoing COVID-19 risks.”

“A formal announcement extending the requirements through March 18 is expected on Thursday,” adds the source per Reuters.

“The White House and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) declined to comment. TSA in August extended the transportation mask order that runs through Jan. 18,” the news said further.

FX reaction

The news adds to the Omicron-led risk aversion, weighing on the US stock futures and Antipodeans. However, Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s measured response on inflation seems to put a carpet under the EUR/USD prices.

Read: EUR/USD defends 1.1300 even as yields refresh 10-week low