By Shariq Khan NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices dipped on Wednesday as traders weighed concerns over a surge in COVID-19 cases in China, the world’s top oil importer, against the chances easing pandemic restrictions in the country will boost fuel demand. Brent crude futures fell $1.82, or 2.2%, to $82.51 a barrel by 11:23 a.m. EST [1623 GMT], while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell $1.60, or 2%, to $77.93 per barrel. China said it will stop requiring inbound travellers to go into quarantine from Jan. 8, a major step towards relaxing stringent curbs on its borders. However, Chinese …