The Miss World 2021 beauty pageant that was set to be held on December 16 in Puerto Rico was postponed at the last minute after 23 participants tested positive for COVID-19.
The organisers said the global broadcast finale was postponed due to the health and safety interests of contestants, staff, crew and general public
The finale will be rescheduled at Puerto Rico Coliseum Jose Miguel Agrelot within the next 90 days.
Here is the statement issued late Thursday:
After meeting with the virologists and medical experts hired to oversee the Miss World 2021 event and discussing with the Puerto Rico Health Department, the decision has been made by the organizers of the event to postpone the globally broadcast finale at the Puerto Rico Coliseum Jose Miguel Agrelot to be held within the next 90 days.
As of yesterday, additional safety measures were implemented in the best interest of the contestants, production team and spectators, understanding the event increased risks on the stage and in the dressing room.
However, after additional positive cases were confirmed this morning after consulting with health officials and experts, the postponement decision was made.
The next step according to the medical experts is immediate quarantine, pending observation and further testing according to best practices in situations like this.
Once and only when contestants and staff are cleared by health officials and advisors, will contestants and related staff return to their home countries.
“We are very much looking forward to the return of our contestants, (who we have grown to know and love), to compete for the Miss World crown” said Julia Morley, CEO of Miss World Ltd.
Puerto Rico offers a safe environment and a spectacular backdrop for filming the Miss World Festival!”
One of the contestants affected by COVID-19 is Telangana native Manasa Varanasi, who would have represented India at the international contest.
“We were in great disbelief that she might not be able to grace the world stage inspite of her immense hard work and dedication, however her safety is of utmost importance to us,” the Miss India Organisation posted on their Instagram.
“We can’t wait to welcome Manasa back home, nurture her back to health and send her back stronger, healthier and happier.”
The Miss World Malaysia organisation also confirmed that their contestant Lavanya Sivaji had tested positive.
Last year’s Miss World was cancelled due to the pandemic and so the reigning beauty queen is 2019 winner Toni-Ann Singh from Jamaica.