The global death toll from the coronavirus is almost 300,000 with more than 4.3 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.

Here's a roundup of COVID-19 developments in RFE/RL's broadcast regions.

Armenia

Armenia's government has approved extending the state of emergency declared over the coronavirus outbreak until June 13.

The government explained its May 14 decision by saying that "the circumstances that led to the declaration of the state of emergency have not yet been eliminated."

Armenia has registered 3,860 confirmed coronavirus cases and 49 deaths.

The extension was discussed in parliament later in the day, but required no vote for approval since it was challenged by no parliamentary faction.

Despite the move, preschools, shopping centers, and gyms will reopen and public transport will resume starting from May 18, Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinian said in parliament.

The wearing of masks will be mandatory in all public spaces beginning on May 25.

Many sectors of the economy reopened in early May to allow people to return to work, but Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian told a government session on May 14 that a nationwide lockdown could be reintroduced if the outbreak develops further and threatens to overwhelm the health-care system.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Armenian Service