Miss World 2021 Postponed After India’s Manasa Varanasi, 16 Others Contract COVID

Bhubaneswar: Miss World beauty pageant finale, scheduled to be held in Puerto Rico on December 16, was called off after 17 contestants, including Miss India 2020 Manasa Varanasi, reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement, Miss World Organisation said, “Miss World 2021 temporarily postpones global broadcast finale in Puerto Rico due to health and safety interest of contestants, staff, crew and the general public.” The finale will be rescheduled at Jose Miguel Agrelot Coliseum of Puerto Rico within the next 90 days, it added.

The decision was taken after meeting with virologists, medical experts hired to oversee the Miss World 2021 event, and the Puerto Rico Health Department. “After additional positive cases were confirmed this morning after consulting with health officials and experts, the postponement decision was made,” the body said in a release.

Additional safety measures were also implemented after COVID-19 positive cases were confirmed. The next step is immediate quarantine, pending observation, and further testing, the social media handle of Miss World Organisation said.

It also said, “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 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.