The 70th edition of the Miss World pageant has been temporarily postponed.
The global broadcast finale in Puerto Rico was postponed due to the health and safety interest of contestants, staff, crew and the general public.
The finale will be rescheduled at Puerto Rico Coliseum Jose Miguel Agrelot within the next 90 days.
This was announced in a statement by the Miss World Organisation on Thursday evening.
The event was set to be held on 16 December at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where Miss World 2019 Toni-Ann Singh of Jamaica will crown her successor.
In Mzansi it was to be broadcast on the 17 December at 1:00am.
The organisation said 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 RicoColiseum Jose Miguel Agrelot to be held within the next 90 days.
CEO of Miss World Ltd, Julia Morley, said as of yesterday (Wednesday), additional safety measures were implemented in the best interest of the contestants, production team and spectators, understanding the event's increased risks on the stage and in the dressing room.
She said, 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," she said.
Morley 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 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," she said.
Miss South Africa 2020, Shudufhadzo Musida, has been flying the country's flag high ahead of coronation night, participating in preliminary competitions, interviews and earning a spot in the Beauty With A Purpose top 10.
