Kapunda Hospital in the Barossa Valley will close its accident and emergency department indefinitely as South Australia's borders reopen.
The decision made by the Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network addresses concerns that residents at an aged care home located on the same premises could be exposed to patients with COVID-19.
Patients will now be redirected to neighbouring hospitals at Gawler, Tanunda and Angaston.
Local general practitioner and obstetrician Max Van Dissel said that the hospital emergency department had previously been through a temporary closure.
"I was surprised and disappointed, but a similar event occurred last year when we had an outbreak in the Barossa Valley," Dr Van Dissel said.
"It is always a concern when an emergency department is closed.
While the emergency will be closed to most patients, babies will still be delivered at the hospital.
"All obstetric patients will be treated at the hospital regardless of their vaccination status," Dr Van Dissel said.
"We are still prepared to deal with emergencies, but we are trying to redirect patients particular those with respiratory symptoms to other hospitals."
The health network will reassess if it is safe enough to reopen the hospital.
"I've been told the situation will be reassessed in two weeks' time. I'm hoping that the emergency department will be reopened," Dr Van Dissel said.
"COVID-19 is an ever-moving situation and things change every day," he said.