Miss Universe Philippines suspends activities amid COVID-19 threat

Published March 16, 2020 2:07pm

The Miss Universe Philippines (MUPh) has suspended all pageant activities effective immediately amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat in the country.

In a statement on Saturday, MUPh said the finals will be moved on June 14, 2020 instead of the scheduled May 3, 2020.

MUPh made the announcement in light of President Rodrigo Duterte’s imposition of a community quarantine over Metro Manila from March 15 to April 14 after a Code Red Sub-Level 2 was raised in the country.

“Pageant activities will be suspended with immediate effect to ensure the health and safety of our contestants, and for fans and production teams to focus on responding to the National Government’s recently-implemented community quarantine,” it said in a statement.

“MUPh remains committed to taking Philippine pageantry to amazing new heights. Measured adjustments to the competition schedule and delivery of new and exciting events are being finalized and will be announced in the coming days and weeks,” it added.

Amid the situation in the country, MUPh encouraged the public to stay healthy, vigilant and informed.

The organization added it will continue to post online tourism videos of its contestants to remind Filipinos of “the beauty of the Philippines worthy to be celebrated beyond the coastlines.”

As of Sunday, the Department of Health has confirmed 29 more cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number to 140.

Meanwhile, the death toll due to the virus in the country has climbed to 12. --Ma. Angelica Garcia/MGP, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/729864/miss-universe-philippines-suspends-activities-amid-covid-19-threat/story/