Uruguay allows in citizens with COVID-19

Uruguay has opened its borders to citizens and residents even if they are infected with COVID-19, a rare move amid surging cases worldwide, although passengers would need to travel in private vehicles across the border and be in a family "bubble".

The South American country's government said the move was in "solidarity" with Uruguayans and residents who were infected with the virus abroad.

"All Uruguayan travellers and resident foreigners who have got Covid abroad may return to our country at any time," Uruguayan Health Minister Daniel Salinas said on his Twitter account on Friday.

With a population of 3.5 million people, the country which borders Argentina and Brazil registered a record of more than 10,000 daily infections on Thursday, according to official data.

About 77 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated.

The condition for this entry is that infected people must do it in private vehicles in their "family bubble" and quarantine at home in compliance with current health measures.

"It is not good that Uruguayans have to stay abroad, even if they have taken a risk, we take care of them here," Salinas said.