Miss World postpones final ceremony due to COVID-19 concerns
The Miss World ceremony was postponed at the last minute "after additional positive cases were confirmed".
Miss SA Shudufhadzo Musida will be flying home soon after Miss World officials were forced to postpone the pageant due to COVID-19 concerns.
The final ceremony was supposed to take place on Thursday, December 16.
"Miss World 2021 temporarily postpones global broadcast finale in Puerto Rico due to health and safety interest of contestants, staff, crew and general public. The finale will be rescheduled at Puerto Rico Coliseum Jose Miguel Agrelot within the next 90 days," officials said in a statement.
The pageant has been plagued by COVID-19 related delays since 2020. It was originally set to take place in late 2020, the year Shudufhadzo became Miss South Africa. The pageant was eventually postponed to December 2021.
Jamaica's Toni-Ann Singh is the current Miss World. She was crowned in December 2019.
ALSO READ: The highlights of Lalela Mswane's Miss Universe journey
MORE FROM EAST COAST RADIO
Preliminary activities for Miss World kicked off in Puerto Rico two weeks ago.
Officials says the latest postponement was made after a meeting with "the virologists and medical experts hired to oversee the Miss World 2021 event".
Thursday night's ceremony was postponed despite extra measures being put in place on Wednesday.
"Additional safety measures were implemented in the best interest of the contestants, production team and spectators, understanding the event increased risks on the stage and in the dressing room. However, after additional positive cases were confirmed this morning [Thursday] after consulting with health officials and experts, the postponement decision was made."
Officials say medical experts recommended "immediate quarantine, pending observation and further testing".
"Once and only when contestants and staff are cleared by health officials and advisors, will contestants and related staff return to their home countries."
ALSO READ: Miss SA faces backlash over Miss Universe participation in Israel
Pageant watchers named Shudufhadzo one of their favourites to win the title. She has been doing well at the pageant.
This week she won 'Beauty With A Purpose' along with the the Philippines, Kenya, India, England, and USA.