Miss World 2021 postponed as India's Manasa, 16 others test Covid positive

New Delhi: The finale of global pageant Miss World, which was to take place at the Puerto Rico Coliseum Jose Miguel Agrelot on Friday (India time), was cancelled at the 11th hour as many contestants, including India's Manasa Varanasi, tested positive for Covid-19.

Julia Morley, CEO of Miss World Ltd, issued a statement on the official social media handle of the organisation on Thursday night, after 17 people, including contestants and staff, tested positive for Coronavirus.

The statement said: "After meeting with virologists and medical experts hired to oversee the Miss World 2021 and discussing with the Puerto Rico Health Department, the decision has been made to postpone the globally broadcast finale at the Puerto Rico Coliseum Jose Miguel Agrelot, to be held within the next 90 days.

"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," it added.

India's Manasa Varanasi was among the contestants to test positive for the virus. The winner of Femina Miss India World 2021 pageant has been updating her fans about her journey at the pageant. She recently posted about winning the Beauty With A Purpose (BWAP) round, along with five others, at the pageant.

Soon after bagging the Femina Miss India World title, Manasa had launched the BWAP 10-9-8 project, a cause, she said, was very close to her heart. She joined hands with the Hyderabad Police for the project, which focuses on prevention and eradication of child abuse in that city.

Manasa was born in Hyderabad and worked as a financial information exchange analyst before she won the Miss India crown. (UNI)