dotshock/Shutterstock.com Many American workers affected by the novel coronavirus are now eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid leave between April 1 and December 31, thanks to new legislation from the Department of Labor that took effect Wednesday. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act gives businesses with less than 500 employees tax cuts to help fund the new paid leave requirements. The coronavirus pandemic has infected nearly one million people worldwide and killed over 52,000 across the globe, including more than 5,200 Americans. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. The federal government is expanding American's access to paid sick leave, in an effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Employees at select companies are now eligible for up to 12 weeks of coronavirus-related paid leave thanks to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.