(Adds analysts comments and updates prices) * France delays COVID-19 restrictions easing due to Delta variant * Fed’s Kaplan says he wants taper to start ‘soon,’ be gradual * Investors await U.S. jobs data on Friday July 1 (Reuters) - Gold rose on Thursday as concerns over the more infectious Delta variant of COVID-19 boosted its safe-haven appeal, ahead of U.S. jobs data seen as crucial to the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook. Spot gold was up 0.3% at $1,775.52 per ounce as of 0328 GMT, moving further away from an over two-month low hit on Tuesday. U.S. gold futures gained 0.1% to $1,774.10. While the market is concerned about rate hikes going into the non-farm payrolls data, the spread of the Delta variant globally is supporting gold prices, said Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management. But “it is going to be quiet unless we do get a decisive break on either side of $1,775 or $1,750 levels,” he added. The spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 has prompted France to delay the easing of restrictions in the Landes region, while coronavirus infections have surged in Asia. Investors are now awaiting the U.S. non-farm payrolls report on Friday for clues on the Fed’s next step. Data released on Wednesday showed U.S. private payrolls increased more than expected in June as companies rushed to boost production and services amid a rapidly reopening economy. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Robert Kaplan said Wednesday he would like the Fed to start reducing its support for the economy before the end of the year, in part to make an abrupt policy tightening less likely later on. A Fed rate hike will increase the opportunity cost of holding bullion, dulling its appeal. Silver rose 0.3% to $26.19 per ounce, palladium fell 0.6% to $2,764.27 and platinum shed 0.3% to $1,069.44. (Reporting by Sumita Layek in Bengaluru; Editing by Aditya Soni) Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.