Speranza said Italy needed to impose new restrictions following several weeks of freedom, in order to prevent another nationwide lockdown.
“Now we need a change of pace, and to intervene with measures, not comparable to those adopted in the past, which could allow us to put the contagion under control and avoid tougher measures later on,” he said in an interview with RAI state TV.
The announcement came after the daily number of positive cases reached a new post-lockdown high of 5327 on Friday.
Health authorities also recorded a high number of tests on Friday, with 129,471 swabs taken in 24 hours.
Daily infections remained over 5000 both on Saturday and Sunday.
Deaths linked to COVID-19 are far fewer, however, than at the height of the pandemic in the country in March and April.
Speranza said he proposed a ban on private parties, involving both children and adults, while measures could include the closure of bars and restaurants at midnight, with the consumption of food and drink while standing at such premises prohibited from 9:00 pm.
Other restrictions could involve sports with physical contact that offer no chance to wear a mask.
The government last week made it mandatory to wear face masks outdoors at all times.
Those who refuse to wear a mask face fines of between €400 and €1000, while businesses that fail to enforce the rules on their premises also risk fines of up to €1000 as well as being closed down for up to 30 days.
The new restrictions package will be discussed with regions on Monday and will be included in a decree that Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte could sign as early as Monday evening, Speranza said.
Earlier on Sunday, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio ruled out another national lockdown, saying the Italian economy could not afford it.
Speranza did not rule out that targeted local lockdowns could be imposed in the future if critical situations arise.
“But at this time, I don’t see such conditions in Italy,” he said.
On Thursday, however, the Latina province south of Rome was put under local lockdown measures for 14 days after a spike in cases in the area.
The so-called “mini-lockdown”, ordered by Lazio governor Nicola Zingaretti, came into effect following a 155 per cent increase in coronavirus cases in recent days.
The local ordinance provides for the closure of bars, pubs and restaurants at midnight, with a maximum of four people permitted per table at restaurants.
The number of people attending parties or religious ceremonies is limited to 20, while visits to hospitals or care homes in the province has been prohibited for the next two weeks, except in exceptional cases with prior permission.
People will not be allowed to gather outside schools or public offices, with staggered admission to gyms and dance schools, as well as the recommendation for people to work remotely if possible.
“It is essential to respect these rules to avoid further and more severe restrictions,” Lazio regional health councillor Alessio D’Amato said.
Italy recently extended its existing state of emergency until January 31, 2021, which grants authorities special powers in tackling the fallout from the coronavirus crisis swiftly, cutting through red tape to implement, to modify or revoke emergency measures if and when required.
