KHAMARA Wright, Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2019, is encouraging the public to stay at home in an effort to curtail the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The post — which was shared on the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook pages as well as the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition Facebook page — has already garnered thousands of views.

“Remember to wash and sanitise your hands as frequently as possible. If someone is close to you, distance yourself; wear your masks and if you have to sneeze or cough, do so in a disposable tissue and discard it. And most importantly, if you don’t have to go outside, tan a yuh yard!” the festival queen shared, in a minute-long video.

“With that said, stay inside so outside can keep again. One love,” she concluded.

Director of marketing and public relations at the JCDC Andrew Clunis said that the commission is in full support of the festival queen’s timely message.

“These are unprecedented times when a global crisis tests our love, courage, and humanity, but as the festival queen highlighted in her inspirational video Jamaicans are resilient and will bounce back from this crisis,” Clunis said.

“It’s critically important that as Jamaicans we observe and follow the precautionary measures that are issued by the Ministry of Health and Wellness in mitigating against the spread of COVID-19 to help flatten the curve. In the meantime, the JCDC continues to look forward to the reuniting and celebration of all aspects of our rich cultural legacy,” Clunis continued.

Since its inception in 1963, the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition has provided opportunities for intelligent, culturally aware, poised, and empowered young women to leave their mark on not only Jamaica’s culture, but also all spheres of our nation’s development.

Some of the past queens include Dr Marsha Barnett, Jennifer “Jenny Jenny” Small, Jacinth Hall-Tracey, and Dahlia Harris.