MANILA, Philippines — The Miss World coronation will no longer be held on Dec. 17 after organizers of the pageant announced its postponement on Friday early morning (Manila time), citing health and safety reasons due to COVID-19.

This announcement came after 17 candidates and personnel have tested positive for COVID-19 just days before the coronation night was supposed to be held.

“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 Rico Coliseum Jose Miguel Agrelot within the next 90 days,” the organizers said in a statement.

Organizers said that additional health measures have already been implemented to ensure safety of contestants, staff, and audience, but because additional COVID-19 cases were just confirmed, officials and health experts had to rescheduled the event.

Meanwhile, contestants and pageant personnels will have to be cleared by health officials and advisors first before they can return to their home countries, said the organizers.

“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” said Julia Morley, CEO of Miss World Ltd.

The Philippines’ representative in the pageant, Tracy Maureen Perez, recently made it to the top 5 of Miss World Beauty with a Purpose challenge.

Perez is hoping to be the second Filipino beauty queen to take home the Miss World crown, following Miss World 2013 Megan Young.

LOOK: Miss World PH Tracy Maureen Perez is moon goddess Mayari in national costume