Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach added to the market’s risk-on mood during early Thursday morning in Asia.

The diplomat said, “Lockdown isn't ruled out, but it's not needed right now.”

““But we're not ruling anything out. So if the number of cases actually developed in such a way that a hard lockdown also had to be discussed, then there would be no red lines," adds German Health Minister.

“As a scientist, I would personally assume that a fourth vaccination will be necessary,” said Germany’s Lauterbach while speaking per Berlin Kurier.

FX reaction

Although the German diplomat ruled out looming lockdown, challenges to risk appetite prevail on the table, mainly emanating from China and the White House, which in turn keep the EUR/USD prices chopped around the weekly top near 1.1340.

Read: EUR/USD clings to weekly top near 1.1350 as yields dwindle ahead of US PCE Inflation