Miss Universe contestants will compete for the crown in Israel on Sunday despite fears of the Omicron variant and political clashes over the country’s treatment of Palestinians.

Some 80 women from across the world will take the stage for the annual pageant in the Red Sea resort town of Eilat on Sunday evening.

The completion comes after the country announced that it would impose new travel restrictions amid the spread of the Omicron virus, including banning foreigners from entering the country.

But tourism officials said the country has granted the women waivers that require them to get tested on site every 48 hours and wear masks at all times when not on stage.

All competitors and staff must also have been fully vaccinated within six months to go.

“This year being in Israel added new challenges as we had to stay up to date on which vaccines would be accepted, the travel and quarantine days,” Meg Omecene, Miss Universe’s Director of Communications, told CNN.

Other countries also criticized that Israel was hosting the competition.

The South African government called on Miss South Africa, Lelela Mswane to drop out, citing what they called “apartheid” at the hands of the Israeli government, CNN reported.

“If anything, by withdrawing, Miss South Africa’s reputation and overall standing will be far more advanced in South Africa and internationally in comparison to a once-off event that can prove disastrous to her future and public standing as a young, black woman,” South Africa’s minister of sports, art and culture Nathi Mthethwa said in a statement.

Mswane, however, still attended the pageant.

“If I had not come to Israel to compete in the Miss Universe pageant, I think I would have regretted it for the rest of my life,” she told the Jerusalem Post. “Certain people have put me through hell and back. It has not been the easiest thing to deal with … But I choose to be optimistic.”