Miss World Finale 2021 Postponed As India Contestant Alongwith 16 Others Tested COVID Positive

New Delhi: Miss World, the world's oldest beauty pageant, was set to have its global broadcast finale this week in Puerto Rico, but the Miss World Organization (MWO) has temporarily postponed it after several contestants, including Manasa Varanasi, tested positive for COVID-19.

The announcement was made on Thursday, just hours before the event was scheduled to start. The contestants are currently in isolation in Puerto Rico, where the finale was scheduled to take place.

"After meeting with the virologists and medical experts hired to oversee the Miss World 2021 event, as well as discussing with the Puerto Rico Health Department, the organizers of the event have decided to postpone the globally broadcast finale at the Puerto Rico Coliseum Jose Miguel Agrelot to be held within the next 90 days," the organisation said in an official statement on Friday.

As per the statement, additional safety procedures have been adopted as of yesterday in the best interests of the participants, production crew, and viewers, with the awareness that the event has heightened hazards on the stage and in the dressing room. The decision to postpone was taken after further positive cases were confirmed this morning after consultation with health professionals and specialists.

According to medical professionals, the next step is "immediate quarantine, pending observation and additional testing," according to the pageant.

"We are very much looking forward to our contestants (who we have gotten to know and love) returning to fight for the Miss World crown," Julia Morley, CEO of Miss World Ltd,  was quoted as saying in the statement.

"We were in great disbelief that she (Manasa Varanasi) 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," Miss India Organisation said on their official Instagram page.

"We can't wait to welcome Manasa back home, nurture her back to health and send her back stronger, healthier and happier," it added.

Manasa began her pageant career in 2019 as Femina Miss India Telangana. The 23-year-old beauty queen also competed in Femina Miss India 2020, representing Telangana.Manasa is now the Indian representative in the Miss World pageant. The beauty queen, along with 16 others, has tested positive for Covid-19.

The Miss World Organization indicated via an official press release that the finale will be rescheduled at the Puerto Rico Coliseum Jose Miguel Agrelot within the next 90 days.

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