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The state of Virginia's health and safety board will be voting on a proposal today that would create state-mandated workplace safety requirements to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, a first in the nation that may lead the way for other states to follow. The proposal was prompted due to concerns of lack of enforcement from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the federal agency tasked with workplace safety. Virginia's proposal requires that employers develop policies for workers dealing with coronavirus-like symptoms, while prohibiting those suspected of having the coronavirus from going to work. The rules would require notifying workers of possible exposure to infected co-workers within 24 hours, as well as mandated physical distancing, sanitation, disinfection and hand-washing procedures. The proposal has drawn criticism from business groups who say the laws are unnecessary due to existing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and OSHA; businesses would be fined penalties of up to $124,000 and the threat of closure in severe cases.