In an unprecedented and sweeping move, Officials with California's State Compensation Insurance Fund (State Fund) have announced they will pay for medical costs and lost income for employees at essential businesses who contract COVID-19, regardless of whether or not they caught the virus at work.

Even though the agency is one of California's largest worker's compensation insurers, this move is staggering. Estimated costs for the expanded COVID-19 benefits  is $115 million* – more than four times what the agency had earlier estimated it would spend. Officials said they will cover medical costs, as well as temporary disability benefits to any essential worker who has to self-quarantine.

In addition, the fund's board also doubled to $50 million the fund for employers to use to buy workplace safety improvements to contain the spread of COVID-19.