Health Secretary Matt Hancock has called for 250,000 volunteers to help the NHS and those in the most need due to coronavirus.
"We are seeking a quarter of a million volunteers, people in good health, to help the NHS, for shopping and for delivery of medicines, and to support those who are shielded to protect their own health."
And he set out how the army, medical students and retired health professionals were helping the health service in its hour of need.
He said: “Today we launch NHS volunteers.
“We are seeking a quarter of a million volunteers, people in good health to help the NHS, for shopping, for the delivery of medicines and to support those who are shielding to protect their own health.
In recent weeks 11,788 former NHS staff have returned to work in the health service including 2,660 doctors, 6,147 nurses as well as 5,500 final year medics and 18,700 final year student nurses who have been drafted in to help.
Mr Hancock also said that the armed forces have helped create the new medical centre, to be called the Nightingale Hospital, at the Excel Centre in east London.
Mr Hancock said the new NHS volunteer responders scheme was created "so that people can come and help, and to make sure that the NHS and the local services that are needed get all the support that they can."
Only healthy people will be asked to volunteer.
In sombre news, he said the number of coronavirus deaths in the UK had now reached 422.
The Health Secretary also reinforced the announcement made by Boris Johnson, when the Prime Minister ordered people to stay at home.
He said: "These steps are not requests, they are rules."
And he added: "The more we follow the rules, the sooner we will stop the spread. And so everybody has a responsibility to follow those rules."
Earlier in the week, Mr Johnson announced that the Government was ordering people to stay at home whether they like it or not.
Mr Johnson said the exceptions are shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible; one form of exercise a day - for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household; any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person; and travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.
Police will have the power to fine people £30 if they disobey - but the Government says the penalty could increase if needed.
