Miss World 2021 has been postponed after several contestants, including India’s Manasa Varanasi, tested positive for Covid-19.
Miss India 2020 Manasa Varanasi, who is representing India in the pageant, has also tested positive for COVID-19.
The finale of Miss World 2021 has been temporarily postponed. The finale was scheduled to take place on December 16 in Puerto Rico. However, the organizers had to postpone the event due to the “health and safety interests of the contestants, staff, crew and the general public”. The closing will be rescheduled within the next 90 days at the Jose Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in Puerto Rico.
According to reports, 17 people including the crew as well as the contestants of Miss World 2021 have contracted COVID-19. Miss India 2020 Manasa Varanasi, who is representing India in the pageant, is also one of them.
The Miss World Organization issued a statement to announce the news. “Miss World 2021 has temporarily postponed the global broadcast finale in Puerto Rico due to the health and safety interest of contestants, staff, crew and the general public.”
The statement further mentioned why the decision to postpone the event was taken. “Till yesterday, additional safety measures were put in place in the best interest of the contestants, production team and audience, understanding the incident increased the risk on stage and in the dressing room. However, today after consultation with health officials and experts, After additional positive cases were confirmed in the morning, the decision of postponement was taken,” the statement further reads.
“Once and only when the contestants and staff are cleared by the health authorities and consultants, will the contestants and the concerned staff return to their countries,” the official statement noted.
“We look forward to the return of our contestants (whom we have grown to know and love) to compete for the Miss World crown,” said Julia Morley, CEO of Miss World Limited.
23-year-old Manasa Varanasi will represent India at the 70th Miss World pageant. Toni-Ann Singh of Jamaica was crowned Miss World 2019.
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